Latest Offenders

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A transgender father of two awaiting gender reassignment surgery has been jailed in a male prison for three years after being exposed as a paedophile.

Britnee Aitken, 47, will have her treatment delayed after two girls said she molested them ten years ago when she identified as a truck recovery driver called Marcus.

One of the victims, then six, said she targeted them under the guise of offering to play board games.

They said she poked her genitals through a letter box when they knocked at the front door.

At Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester, Aitken appeared in the dock wearing a low cut woman's blouse and sporting makeup and long red hair.

She was referred to as 'she' and 'her' during the hearing that saw her convicted of three charges of sexual assault and one of exposure.

She was also ordered to sign the Sex Offender Register for life. She denied any wrongdoing. The Ministry of Justice told MailOnline she will go to a men's prison.

The sexual offences occurred after Aitken, from Rochdale, went public about a bizarre legal battle over a 30 fine imposed by police in 2008 for playing her Riverdance CD too loudly inside her car.

Identifying at the time as Marcus she had refused to pay the fine, and in the months after she was pestered by demand letters and received six visits from bailiffs to her home and the debt eventually rose to 270 because of administration costs.

She said the bailiffs demanded entry at 7.30am and shouted threats through the letterbox while she was inside with her then girlfriend and their two sons.

In 2008 a judge quashed the fine on appeal. The court heard the offences against the girls occurred between July and September 2012 when they visited his home.

Mr Ben Berkson prosecuting said: 'The defendant was then known as Marcus Aitken and the girls were five or six years old at the time.'

In a statement one of the victims said: 'I suffer flashbacks due to the abuse and I get angry when I contemplate and think about what this person did to me.

'What happened has affected my ability to form and maintain relationships with friends and family and the abuse has caused me to struggle with anxiety and anger management. I am concerned about these things will impact my life going forward.'

itken who was charged in 2020 had no previous convictions but had accepted a caution in 2012 for having an illicit 'upskirt' video of another little girl aged seven.

In mitigation defence counsel Adam Roxborough said: 'These offences occurred over a short period ten years ago and there is no suggestion of any repeat offending since.

'During that time Miss Aitken has maintained a good work ethic as a recovery truck driver and led a decent life.

'She has fragile mental health and given her sexuality, she has suffered abuse on a regular basis. It is for her a daily issue.

'That, she hopes, would come to an end to an extent when she is able to have gender reassignment surgery and her plans for that were moving ahead for this year. Of course any custodial sentence would put that progress back considerably.

'She has to be punished but the question is whether that punishment should effectively cause such damage to her notwithstanding the damage she has caused to others.

'She still does not recognised her guilt but a sentence of imprisonment could be suspended. It must be a difficult life for her to lead at the moment..'

Sentencing Judge John Edwards told Aitken: 'I bear in mind the difficulties you may encounter in a custodial environment but this offending was sustained, predatory and very distressing for these girls.

'It has had a significant emotional impact on one of them, she being vulnerable and impressionable courtesy of her age.

'You presented as an almost avuncular figure, happy on the surface to indulge those children with games, when your true motives were more sinister.

'You crossed a very clear boundary in order to indulge your attractions. Your caution plainly displays an interest in young children.'

Aitken was also ordered to abide by a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order which will bar her from 'loitering' near schools or children's play areas.

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Matthew Connelly preyed on his victims in Lanark and Carluke between 2018 and 2020. A man who raped two teenagers in Lanarkshire has been jailed for six-and-a-half years. Matthew Connelly, 22, preyed on the victims in Lanark and Carluke between February 2018 and March 2020. He first pounced on a 16-year-old on various occasions at Lanark Loch and a property in Carluke. Connelly threatened to commit suicide if she did not meet to have sex with him, before raping her. He then raped another woman in July 2018. Connelly removed her clothes and straddled her body while she was asleep. After the victim woke up, he removed her lower clothing, seized her arms and restrained her. Connelly then went on to rape her. He also sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl on various occasions between 2017 and 2018. Connelly also had underage sex with a 14-year-old girl in 2018. He assaulted another woman in a car by removing her seatbelt and attempting to push her from the vehicle. Judge William Gallacher said: "You were convicted of a serious of very serious criminal offences for your own sexual gratification. "You subjected young victims to manipulation, abuse, psychologic influence and control as well as physical sexual behaviour. "All victims were between the ages of 14 and 18 when you engaged in controlling and violent behaviour for your own sexual gratification. "You took advantage of one of the girl's being a youth and when she refused your advances, you seized and raped her. "You found another girl on a school bus and engaged in sexual assaults with her, manipulated and raped her. "Every sexual offence would have merited a lengthy prison sentence." Connelly was also put under supervision for three years upon his release from prison put on the sex offenders register for an indefinite period. Tony Graham, defending, told the sentencing that Connelly comes from a family with a good work ethic and that he now understands his place in society. His crimes were described as "despicable" by a Lanarkshire detective who calls on more people to report sexual abuse to ensure more perpetrators are brought to justice. Detective Inspector David Lamont of Wishaw Police Station said: Connelly subjected his victims to sustained sexual abuse over a number of months and he is now facing the consequences of his despicable actions. "This sentencing sends a clear message that anyone found guilty of offences of this nature will be brought to justice. His victims were incredibly brave to come forward and report him then give evidence in court. "Our thoughts remain with them and I hope that his sentencing will give them some comfort and help them move forward. We remain committed to supporting victims of sexual crimes and investigating those responsible by bringing them to justice, no matter how much time has passed. "I would urge people to contact police and report it. They can be assured of being fully supported by officers and partner agencies. Connelly was initially found guilty at the High Court in Glasgow earlier this month.

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A man who sexually abused a boy, and filmed himself doing so, had another dark secret. It transpired when William Chamberlain was a teenager he raped a little girl.

Chamberlain, 24, of Frampton Cotterell, pleaded guilty to three rapes of a child aged under-13. He also admitted sexual assault of a boy aged under-13 and making an indecent video of a child

Judge William Hart jailed him for seven-and-a-half years. The judge told Chamberlain: "You pleaded guilty to all matters. The damage to your victims is likely to be long-lived and permanent. That is something for which you are responsible."

Chamberlain was handed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order designed to stop him from reoffending. He was also ordered to notify his whereabouts to police indefinitely, given a restraining order to have no contact with the two complainants and was barred from working with children and vulnerable adults. His phone with the indecent footage on was destroyed.

Nikki Coombe, prosecuting, told Bristol Crown Court Chamberlain was aged in his mid-teens when he repeatedly raped a girl half his age, telling her: "You haven't told anyone, have you, its our secret". The child told her family and, ultimately, the matter was reported to police.

Chamberlain was arrested, told officers "I messed up" and declined to comment in interview. Police also established that, years later, Chamberlain sexually abused a ten-year-old boy after officers found a video of the abuse on Chamberlain's phone. Once again Chamberlain declined to comment when interviewed.

The court heard the Sentencing Guidelines Council starting point for Chamberlain sexually abusing the boy was lower then it was for Chamberlain filming the abuse. Barry White, defending, said: "The most important thing I can say to (the victims) is he is truly sorry. The pre-sentence report makes it plain he does take full responsibility for his disgusting behaviours."

Mr White said that, as a teenager, his client was limited in intelligent functioning. He said references from his family described Chamberlain as a "gentle, kind and helpful young man".

Detective Inspector Louise Catlin said: Chamberlain subjected his victims to sickening levels of abuse and was left with very little option but to plead guilty given the volume of evidence against him. He fully merited the prison sentence he received today and it has come about thanks to the dedication and hard work of officers, including DS Mike Banks and DC Francesca Hepburn.

The victims in the case have shown incredible fortitude throughout this legal process and we are grateful for the support of them and their families. No sentence the judge could hand out would make up for what they have been through, but hopefully the knowledge Chamberlain has been jailed for the monstrous crimes he committed provides them with some comfort.

It cannot be underestimated how emotionally difficult it is for sexual abuse victims to come forward and to report what has happened to them. To open up and trust anyone with details about the most distressing and horrific moment or moments of your life is a very significant psychological step to take. We fully understand that and we hope cases such as this one give confidence to victims that they will be believed, their case will be taken seriously and we will leave no stone unturned as we seek to get justice for them.

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A paedophile who offered to rescue children from an orphanage in war torn Ukraine and posed as a medic in refugee camps in Poland has been banned by a judge from leaving the UK.

Ordering 34-year-old Adam Wyles to surrender his passport for 18 months Judge Martyn Levett said it was clear from his previous convictions that he had an entrenched sexual interest in young female children.

He said that between March 7 and 21 this year Wyles had travelled to Poland to deliver aid to refugees fleeing from Ukraine and had offered to rescue children from a Ukrainian orphanage.

He said information had been received from someone who travelled with Wyles to Poland that he had posed as a medical aid officer in a refugee camp and had an air ambulance medic uniform and a false medical identification badge.

Judge Levett was considering an application from the Chief Constable of Suffolk on Thursday ( March 31) to amend a sexual harm prevention order made by Norwich Crown Court in April 2020 by ordering Wyles to surrender his passport and banning him from leaving the UK.

Wyles, of Sycamore Avenue, Great Yarmouth, was given a community order and a five year sexual harm prevention order restricting his contact with children in 2015 after he was convicted of possession of indecent images of children.

In 2020 Norwich Crown Court heard that Wyles had breached the requirements of the sexual harm prevention order by tricking a charity that supports children with disabilities into letting him drive on a trip to Europe in 2019.

On that occasion Wyles admitted three further offences of making indecent images of children and failing to comply with the notification requirements of a sexual harm prevention order and was jailed for 27 months.

The court heard that Wyles had a number of previous convictions including posing as a police officer and possessing a police uniform.

After considering Wyles previous convictions, evidence about his trips to Poland and evidence from Wyles, who disputed some of the claims made about him, Judge Levett amended the earlier sexual harm prevention order and ordered him to surrender his passport and banned him from leaving the UK for 18 months.

I reach the conclusion it is necessary and proportionate to amend the order, said the judge.

Wyles' attempt to spin his trip to this paper

A convicted sex offender who travelled to Ukraine posing as a medic brazenly contacted this newspaper trying to spin a heroic story about his time there.

Adam Wyles, who was banned from leaving the country by a judge at Ipswich Crown Court, wrote to us saying he had just returned from Ukraine, where he said he had been providing medical evacuation and treatment services to those wounded and fleeing and wanted to speak to a journalist about his experiences.

A reporter spoke to him on the phone and he spoke at length about his experiences in Poland and Ukraine.

He said he worked to evacuate wounded soldiers and rescued Ukrainian families from Lviv and even Kyiv.

He even said that he felt compelled to return to the country to help and planned to do so as soon as possible.

After researching Wyles background and seeing his previous convictions, this newspaper declined to publish his story and launched an investigation into his trip.

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A roofer refused to begin his jail sentence - until he had kissed goodbye to his lover.

Convicted sex offender Stefan Crocker had just been given a 30-month prison term for attacking a woman he met on a Tinder date.

But instead of going straight to the cells at Maidstone Crown Court - he embraced his girlfriend, who had watched proceedings from the public gallery.

As the security guard pulled him away, the lovelorn Crocker shouted: "I am sorry but I can't kiss my girlfriend for (another) 30 months".

The incident was also witnessed by his victim, sitting with a police officer just a few feet away. She was later escorted away from the courtroom through a side entrance.

A jury had convicted Crocker, now of Maybourne Place, Staplehurst of sex assault by penetration after an incident in September 30, 2017.

Prosecutor Richard Hearnden had told how the victim had met Crocker after the two began talking on a dating website and agreed to meet up in a pub in Tonbridge.

The jury heard how she drank a lot of alcohol and vomited twice on the return to her home and it was there she was sexually assaulted by Crocker.

The judge, Recorder Alistair Webster QC, told him his claim that his victim had planted his DNA on her had been "ludicrous" and branded him a "glib liar" who had still not accepted that he had carried out the attack.

The victim, in her impact statement which was read to the court, told how she had "blocked out the incident from her mind to protect myself".

But she told the judge: "I feel foolish and weak to have let it happen to me. It does make me feel dirty.. I keep asking myself 'why me?'

"I refuse to let this incident define me. I am still me. I didn't deserve this to happen to me. It shouldn't have happened to anyone. I feel like I have been taken advantage of and violated... I want to get on with my life."

In a second statement she added that Crocker's lies had forced her to re-live the nightmare ordeal which had left her too frightened to sleep.

"He made it look so easy to lie. I have to live with what he's done and the lies he has told."

After the hearing the judge apologised to the victim for the delays in the trial which were "excessive."

The judge said that in a probation report Crocker, formerly of Tanyard Estate, Sandhurst, near Cranbrook, took responsibility for what had occurred but had shown no remorse.

He told Crocker who was cleared of a second charge of rape "I saw you give evidence and I found you a ready and glib and, on the face of it, a persuasive liar."

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The 46-year-old also groped a 14-year-old school girl at another stop, then told police her skirt was too short. The ex-William Hill manager would also sneak behind an unsuspecting woman in her 40s before grabbing her waist and chest, Canterbury Crown Court heard. Police released Jarvis pending further enquiries after two of the attacks, paving the way for further offending. On Wednesday, he was handed 32 months' custody and a 10-year restraining order. Jarvis lurked around bus stops before approaching his victims, prosecutor Paul Valder said. In July, he touched the teenagers thigh in front of other children while under the influence of alcohol. Following his arrest, police released Jarvis under investigation. He then launched an attack on a woman during another school run. She felt someone grab her from behind, she felt a strong grip around her waist," Mr Valder said. At first she thought it was a joke but it was a very tight grip as she couldnt use her arms." Jarvis restrained her for nine seconds, grabbing her breasts before she fought him off, the prosecutor continued. The court heard Jarvis then targeted a four-year-old girl in front of her mother shortly after police released him. Prosecutors said Kent Police had not specified whether Jarvis was released on bail or under investigation on each occasion. Jarvis victims told the court of their turmoil in the wake of the attacks. People tell me [the assault] was one chance in a million but it did happen to me and I feel it could happen again, the 14-year-old said. The woman in her 40s branded the abuse nightmare-inducing and terrifying, prompting her to constantly look behind herself. Your behaviour is the sort that is so strange and startling that is itself something very difficult to understand and accept... And the four-year-old's mother told how her once bubbly daughter now suffers panic attacks, adding: [She is] scared of men who talk to her - unable to go close to family members. The judge, Recorder Trimmer QC called Jarvis actions dangerous and concerning incidents of sexual assaults. Your behaviour is the sort that is so strange and startling that is itself something very difficult to understand and accept, he added. But the judge highlighted Jarvis had previously suffered a head trauma affecting his behaviour, with alcohol abuse exacerbating mental health issues. Psychiatric reports were unable to clarify the extent of damage Jarvis sustained. However, they stressed he now suffers from epilepsy. Mitigating, James Harrison said Jarvis was of previous good character and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity. He also plans on quitting alcohol, going back to education and addressing mental health issues, which can cause him to misread social situations", the lawyer added. Jarvis, of Grange Road in Ramsgate, pleaded guilty at an early opportunity to two counts of sexual assault and sexual assault of a child under 13. He will be placed on the sex offenders' register for 10 years and be subject to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order. Commenting after Jarvis was sentenced, PC Sonja Lupton, Kent Police's investigating officer, said: "Every woman and girl has a right to feel safe in the communities in which they live and that is why tackling violence against women and girls is a priority for Kent Police. "Jarvis's actions against these victims were abhorrent and I hope the fact that the offender has been held to account gives them some sense that justice has been done. "We are committed to bringing perpetrators of such offences to justice and I encourage any victims who have not reported similar offences to us to do so as soon as possible, either through our website or by calling 101, or 999 if a crime is in progress."

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A paedophile who collected nearly 2,000 child sex abuse images was today told he could face prison.

James Mercer, 41, was handed a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) in 2013 after he was caught downloading indecent images of children. The 10-year order prevented him from accessing the internet unless he retained the browsing history and made it available for inspection by police.

Liverpool Crown Court today heard when officers performed a routine check on his computer equipment as part of the SOPO, they discovered a vile stash of indecent material. Mercer, of Ashburn Avenue, Tower Hill, Kirkby, later admitted possessing 1,997 indecent images of children, which according to the charge he downloaded between May 16, 2018 and March 17, 2021.

He pleaded guilty to downloading 368 Category A images - the most serious category involving child rape - plus 323 Category B and 1,306 Category C files. Mercer also admitted possessing seven prohibited [cartoon or animated] images of a child.

Jonathan Duffy, prosecuting, said Mercer was not in fact in breach of the SOPO when the sex offender appeared in the dock for sentencing this morning, as he had not disguised his search history. Mercer, with long grey hair and beard and wearing a black coat, spoke only to confirm his personal details.

Charles Lander, defending, said at a previous court hearing the case was adjourned for the defence to obtain a psychiatric report. He said that report would then be served on the Probation Service, so they could prepare an "addendum" to an existing pre-sentence report.

However, the court heard the psychiatric report had only been made available to the Probation Service today. Mr Lander said he therefore would apply for an adjournment.

Judge Robert Trevor-Jones told Mercer that "regrettably" it would take the Probation Service four weeks to prepare the addendum report. The judge adjourned sentencing until April 28 and remanded Mercer on bail until that date.

However, he warned Mercer that the fact he was adjourning the case and requesting the addendum report should not be taken by him as an indication of the eventual sentence in his case. Judge Trevor-Jones told him: "All options remain open and that includes immediate custody. Is that clear?"

"Yes," mumbled Mercer from beneath a face mask, before he shuffled out of court, carrying a black rucksack.

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A Cannock man who raped a girl aged under 13 and took an indecent photograph of a child has been jailed for 17 years. Daniel Cater, aged 30, also attempted to cause or incite a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity and also distributed an indecent photograph of a child.

He was found guilty of the offences after a trial. An investigation into his activity began in March 2021 when he was arrested by Staffordshire Police officers on suspicion of making, possessing and distributing indecent images of children.

His digital devices were then also seized and analysed. It resulted in Cater being further arrested for the rape of a girl aged under 13.

He was was sentenced at Stafford Crown Court on Monday, March 14. Alongside his jail term, Cater was ordered him to register as a sex offender for life and comply with a sexual harm prevention order.

Detective Sergeant Sophie Boden, of the forces child protection and exploitation team, said: "I would like to thank the victim and their family for showing great strength and courage in providing evidence in this case. Cater is truly a dangerous man who has now been brought to justice, and as a result others are now protected from him.

"I am immensely proud of DC Sophie Crooks and DC Jennifer Rawsthorne, who led the investigation. Alongside their colleagues, they have worked tirelessly on this case which has been particularly distressing."

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The family of a young man who downloaded images of children as young as three being abused stood by him after his arrest.

Matthew Simm, a 21-year-old zoological student, had his house raided after the indecent images were uploaded to the internet via Twitter, Liverpool Crown Court heard. Police arrived at his Lydiate home on May 6 last year after checks on a related IP address led them to that property.

Frank Dillon, prosecuting, said Simm acknowledged the email addresses were his but denied knowing anything about the offences. His electronic devices were seized and illegal images were found on two phones and a laptop.

The court heard that forensic examination revealed a total of 703 images and videos, including 362 in the most serious Category A, which involves child rape. Mr Dillon said that they also found 100 extreme pornographic images, of which one was a video.

It was found that the images had been searched or accessed in the days before his arrest. Simm, of Coppull Road, Lydiate, pleaded guilty to three offences of making indecent images of children, one of possessing them and one of possessing extreme porn. Judge Anil Murray told him that he found it impossible to accept his claim that he was not sexually attracted to children.

He said that the images showed children as young as three or four and they included videos but he accepted there was no distribution of the images. The judge told the student that he accepted he has shown insight into his offending and is being supported by his family.

Judge Murray also said Simm had also been assessed as posing a low risk of re-offending or causing serious harm and had pleaded guilty. The offences admitted by the defendant involved a lesser overall amount of indecent images of children - 566- than in the prosecution case and the judge said he would sentence on the lower basis.

He sentenced him to eight months imprisonment suspended for two years, ordered him to carry out 150 hours unpaid work and 15 days rehabilitation activities. Simm was also ordered to sign on the Sexual Offenders Register for ten years and the judge imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for the same length of time restricting his internet use.

Peter White, defending, said that the defendant has no previous convictions and had pleaded guilty, indicating his remorse. He also presents a low risk of re-offending, he added.

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A man kidnapped a teenager walking home after a night out and took her to an industrial estate intending to sexually assault her.

Danny Chen would later claim he was just being "chivalrous" by helping a drunk 19-year-old into his white Audi at 3.30am. But when he drove the victim to a "dark and secluded" spot and tried to get in the back of the car with her, the victim's "survival instinct" kicked in.

She managed to escape and a judge today said he was sure Chen had intended to carry out a sex attack. Liverpool Crown Court heard CCTV footage showed the woman, who the ECHO has chosen not to name, walking home on May 23, 2021.

Steven Swift, prosecuting, said she had been out in the city centre and the footage showed her "staggering" along Farnworth Street in Kensington. Cameras also captured Chen driving past in his Audi, before he turned around and pulled up alongside the victim.

Mr Swift said: "It was clear she was in no condition to consent to getting into Mr Chen's car." The court heard he took hold of her - she said forcibly by the arm - and got her into the back of his car.

The victim could remember giving Chen directions and telling him she wished to be dropped off at a friend's home. However, Mr Swift said Chen drove past roads and she was "ignored", before he stopped at an "isolated industrial estate".

He said the woman was "concerned about the actions and intentions" of Chen when he tried to get into the back of the car. Mr Swift said: "At this point she started to panic. She managed to push the defendant away, asking 'what are you doing?'"

The victim got out of the car, but realised she had left her handbag on the back seat and returned, only to find it was now in the front, with Chen. She fled and hid behind another vehicle before she phoned a friend and the next morning called police.

Chen used her bank card to buy crisps and a drink from a Texaco garage in Barlow Lane at around 5am. The card was declined when he tried to buy food from McDonald's in Walton Lane at approximately 5.30pm.

Police traced Chen and arrested him at his home in Westminster Road, Walton on June 4. When arrested, he suggested he had picked up a "drunken girl" and tried to take her home but she wouldn't give him correct instructions.

He said eventually when driving around he became "fed up" and asked her to get out. Judge Robert Trevor-Jones said: "Of course that didn't in any way square with the fact he took some three minutes from where he picked her up to where they entered that industrial estate."

The victim's handbag was found in a bin at the back of his home and Chen admitted two counts of fraud, relating to the use of the card. He denied kidnap but after one jury couldn't reach a verdict, a second jury found him guilty at a retrial.

The victim said she lost out financially, had to replace her driving licence and other cards, and was left struggling to sleep and on antidepressants. Mr Swift said: "As a consequence of this offence she finds herself hyper vigilant when out.

"She said 'I panic when cars pull up near to me, especially white ones like the one the offender drove. I also find myself avoiding the area where the male first got me into his car, despite having friends in the area.'"

Judge Trevor-Jones said an aggravating feature was "she was so drunk it seems she was effectively defenceless". Callum Ross, defending, accepted that was "the main aggravating feature" and she was therefore "vulnerable".

Mr Ross said his client, of previous good character, knew he would be jailed. He said it was a short incident, there wasn't any evidence of "any method of restraint" or use of violence or weapons, and he suggested it was "opportunistic" rather than premeditated.

The court heard Chen previously worked as a fraud investigator for a high street bank. Mr Ross said: "He has for all of his life prior to this offending contributed positively and productively to society."

He said Chen was assessed by the Probation Service as "an intelligent and articulate man". He said he was "a man who, though he still maintains his innocence, does entirely accept the verdict of the jury".

Mr Ross said Chen even "speculated" that if he had been on the jury, he would have convicted himself, which the lawyer suggested showed "some level" of "reflection". Mr Ross said: "He states his main regret from these proceedings is that the complainant has had to go through giving evidence twice in this case."

Judge Trevor-Jones said he was "quite sure" Chen was "driving around" not because he was going to McDonald's - as he claimed at trial - but "either looking for someone to attack or to steal from". He said the victim was "obviously" drunk because she could "barely walk" and that would have been clear to Chen, who got the "almost defenceless" woman into his car when "she was barely aware of what was happening".

The judge said: "You took her directly to that dark and secluded industrial estate and if not before, certainly by that time, it is clear you intended some sexual assault. I'm quite sure that is what you were going to carry out when you attempted to get into the back of the car."

Judge Trevor-Jones added: "You maintained all of this was entirely chivalrous on your behalf, trying to help her in her desperate state."

The judge said when Chen tried to get into the back of the car "some survival instinct kicked in" and the woman escaped. He added: "This was a very terrifying, if short lived experience".

Jailing him for three and a half years, Judge Trevor-Jones said: "I have no doubt you present a high risk of harm to vulnerable females."

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A CANNABIS farmer caught with 77,000 worth of the illegal drug and as well as indecent images of children has been jailed. Nezir Slemaj appeared at Newcastle Crown Court earlier this month where he was sentenced to 16 months behind bars. The 20-year-old first came to the attention of police when his home on Northcote Street, Newcastle was searched by officers back in August last year. A total of 68 mature plants and 134 others at various stages of growth were seized alongside equipment valued at around 10,000. When Slemaj was arrested, two mobile phones were also recovered and examined with detectives later uncovering a range of horrific indecent images and videos. Slemaj was later charged and appeared at Newcastle Crown court on December 16 where he was convicted of three counts of making indecent photographs of children, one count of possessing extreme pornography and producing a Class B drug and was remanded in custody. On March 16, he was sentenced at the same court to a total of 16 months behind bars, given a ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and placed on the Sex Offenders Register for ten years. Detective Constable Dan Hall, from Northumbria Police, said: As a force we are committed to protecting our communities from any form of criminality and the ripple effects that can happen as a result. In this case, a simple house search led to the seizure and destruction of a large quantity of cannabis which could have made its way onto our streets and saw the profits reinvested into further crime. As part of our thorough investigation, a number of indecent images were also found on Slemajs phone and added to the solid file of evidence we were able to put before the courts. Slemaj had no previous convictions and what initially began as a drugs investigation has resulted in the conviction of a potentially dangerous sex offender who is now registered with law enforcement.

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A MAN who raped a student on her way home was caught after she made a video call and her friend recorded it. Just before 12pm on Wednesday, September 22 the woman in her 20s was dropped off by a taxi in The Avenue, Brighton. She was attacked but managed to make a video call to a friend who reported it to the police. Officers managed to use the footage to track down where the attack happened and identify the rapist. And now Ramees Akkara, 28, of Upper Bevendean Avenue in Brighton, has been found guilty by a jury at Hove Crown Court. Police visited the victims address at 2.40am after she had returned home alone and an investigation was launched after officers suspected she may have been the victim of a sexual assault. The woman was supported by specialist officers while evidence was gathered, but her whereabouts during the time of the attack, and a crime scene, were unknown. Over the following days, detectives carried out enquiries around the Upper Bevendean Avenue area, supported by a range of specialist officers. On Friday, October 1 detectives entered an unlocked property in Upper Bevendean Avenue and recognised it from the recorded video call. Five men who returned to the property were arrested on suspicion of rape and all five were interviewed over the next 24 hours. After DNA test results were fast-tracked, a forensic sample taken from the victim matched the DNA of one of the suspects, Ramees Akkara, who was re-arrested while enquiries continued. On Monday, October 4 he was charged with rape and remanded in custody until his trial began on Tuesday, March 22. This week a jury unanimously found Akkara guilty of rape and he was sentenced to eight years in prison. He will also be placed on the sex offenders register for life. Detective Chief Inspector Jon Gillings said: This was a hugely distressing case for the young woman involved, who fell victim to a predatory offender in Akkara. I would like to personally thank her for the incredible bravery she showed in supporting the investigation, which included giving evidence in court under extremely stressful circumstances. Without her courage and support, this conviction would not have been possible. My thanks also go out to her quick-thinking friend who recorded the call, and to all of the people who helped to secure this conviction. It was an incredible display of teamwork and I feel hugely proud to have worked with the individuals on this case. Many worked extended hours, putting their home lives second to identifying and charging a dangerous male who is now, due to their actions, no longer on the streets.

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A 35-year-old man has appeared in court charged with three child sex offences. John Edward Iles faces charges of attempting to cause or incite a child to engage in penetrative sexual activity, attempting to cause a child to watch an image of sexual activity and attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child. Nataline Cheeseman, prosecuting, told Swindon Magistrates Court this morning (30 March) that the defendant had allegedly spoken to a 13-year-old girl online. However, the girl was actually a paedophile hunter from Justice for Innocence. Whilst a sting was not carried out on Iles by the group, evidence of his alleged illicit behaviour was handed to Wiltshire Police to investigate. On hearing that one of the offences is indictable only and the other two charges are inextricably linked, all three charges were sent up to Swindon Crown Court. Iles solicitor, Terry McCarthy, indicated that pleas of guilty would be entered. The defendant, of Marlow Avenue, Swindon, was released on bail with conditions not to have any unsupervised contact with children under the age of 18. Iles can have supervised contact with children under the terms of the conditions. However, the childs parent must be informed of the allegations before the court. He will appear at Swindon Crown Court next month for a plea and trial preparation hearing.