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A former ballet tutor at a dance school in west London has been sentenced for thirteen counts of sexual assault.

Yat-Sen Chang, 49 (16.10.71) of Theatre Kiel, Germany, was found guilty of the offences on Tuesday, 11 May after a two-week trial at Isleworth Crown Court.

On Wednesday, 20 October he was sentenced at the same court to nine years in prison.

This case concerns allegations of sexual assault made by four victims, victim [A], victim [B], victim [C] and victim [D].

At the time of the offences, Chang was a ballet tutor at a dance school in west London.

In 2016, police were contacted by victim [A] and victim [B] who alleged seven sexual offences against Chang over a two-year period.

Following this, victim [C] and victim [D] came forward and alleged seven sexual offences against Chang over a three-year period.

This referred to instances of sexual assault that occurred during private ballet tuition lessons held by Chang with each of the victims.

Following these allegations, an investigation was launched by officers from the West Area Child Abuse Unit.

Chang was arrested on 14 April 2016 on suspicion of sexual assault and was further interviewed on 27 August 2020. He denied all allegations against him.

Chang was charged twice, first on 12 December 2019 and again on 10 November 2020, for a total of 14 counts of sexual assault on four females. These charges related to incidents that occurred between 1 December 2009 and 10 April 2016 at a dance school in west London, his private residence and a London ballet school.

After a trial that lasted just over two weeks, Chang was found unanimously guilty of twelve counts of sexual assault on a female, and guilty of one count of sexual assault by penetration of a female. He was acquitted of one count.

Detective Constable Helen Larson, of the West Area Child Abuse Unit, said: "Chang abused his position of trust and power to prey on his young victims when they were most vulnerable. The sentencing today has put a dangerous and predatory individual behind bars, and I am sure that this has prevented further offences taking place.

"The victims showed extreme bravery and courage in reporting the incident and helping us to bring Chang to justice. I hope that the result today brings them some closure so they can begin to move on with their lives.

"It remains a top priority for the Met to tackle and prevent instances of sexual assault, putting offenders behind bars and bringing justice to the victims. I encourage anyone who has been a victim or witnessed a sexual assault to contact police. We have specially trained officers who will give advice and take all allegations seriously. You will be supported."

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A convicted paedophile repeatedly met up with three little girls in a Wirral cemetery despite being banned from such contact with any child.

Michael Mooney, 52, was jailed for nine years in 2005 for child sex abuse and an order made to keep him away from youngsters was renewed in April 2012 - but a court has heard he has now persistently breached it by meeting up with the girls.

The devastated mum of one of the girls told a judge about the impact Mooney had on her daughter and their family.

While Mooney did not molest the children Judge David Potter said: As to your ultimate intent I cannot exclude it was for sexual gratification. There is clearly evidence of grooming behaviour.

Mooney, of Old Chester Road, Rock Ferry, who admitted breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, was jailed for three years and four months and ordered to sign on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Rebecca Smith, prosecuting, told Liverpool Crown Court on Friday that his breach of the order came to light after a 10 year old girl told her social worker about a man she had regularly encountered in Bebington cemetery.

She told of occasions when she, along with another 10 year old girl and an eight year old friend, were playing in the cemetery, which is attached to a park, and had encounters with Mooney in May and June this year.

It began when he asked if he could stroke the dog which two of them had with them and he then followed them and stared at them.

A few days later they made a den and Mooney, who told them he was 26, approached asking about it and within days they met him again.

He was exercising doing press-ups and the girls asked if he could spin them around by their legs while they held onto a branch which he did.

On a later occasion two of them took a small tent to the cemetery and Mooney asked if he could join them in the tent.

When asked if he had a girlfriend he said he had one who was 14 years old and they had touched body parts. He spent five to 10 minutes in the tent with them, said Miss Smith.

On another occasion they met him by some local shops and they asked him for some money which he gave them and was spent on sweets.

About five days later they met him again and after asking for money he said the cash was stashed on him and told them to search him and to "pat him down".

They asked if it was in his boxer shorts and he flicked the waistband and gave them 5, which was not the first time he had given them money, said Miss Smith.

After this encounter, a social worker told the 10-year-olds mum what she had been told by her daughter.

The mum and other members of the community confronted him and detained him until the police arrived.

The mum told the judge the incidents had a massive impact on my whole family. I feel I have failed my daughter although I know that is not the case.

She said: She has changed from being a happy child to being angry, she was never like this before.

Staring at Mooney she said he had been waiting in the cemetery preying on my daughter and other children. He is a child predator.

The court heard that when interviewed Mooney said he went to the park to exercise and the children had approached him and it was an unavoidable situation.

John Weate, defending, said Mooney had taken the decision not to challenge anything the children had said, although there were discrepancies, as he did to want to put them at risk of having to give evidence. He accepts his involvement with these children.

He had complied with the terms of his licence and SHPO for a considerable time. He had lived an isolated life since his release and suffered from anxiety and depression.

He used to go to a gym to keep fit but the pandemic brought that to an end and so we went to the park to keep exercising which is where he came into contact with the children.

Mr Weate said that Mooney has already been punished by having his home vandalised since his arrest and when he is eventually released he will have to find new accommodation.

Mr Weate said: He has passed on his apologies for what has happened and understands he has to be punished."

In sentencing Judge Potter said: "I have heard you are sorry. I consider you are more sorry for about your own position than the impact your offending has caused.

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A Scarborough man who sent 'sexual' images to who he believed to be a 13-year-old girl has been handed a suspended sentence after being snared by police.

John Gilbert, 53, was involved in online chats with a teenager he believed to be 13-years-old between September 2 and September 14.

But he was actually communicating with a fake account that had been set up by police officers from North Yorkshire Police.

York Magistrates' Court heard Gilbert sent sexual images to the account, engaged in "sexualised chat" and made arrangements to meet the girl.

He was arrested on September 16 and a search warrant was executed at his home.

Key evidence proving Gilbert had been involved in the online child sexual abuse activity through various dating and messaging applications was obtained from his smart phone by the Digital Forensic Unit.

He appeared at York Magistrates' Court on Friday (October 15) for sentencing after pleading guilty to three offences of being an adult attempting to meet a girl under 16 years of age following grooming; attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and attempting to cause a child aged 13 to 15 to watch/look at an image of sexual activity on September 17.

Gilbert was sentenced to six months' imprisonment, suspended for two years.

Police Constable Francesca Diffey, of the Online Abuse and Exploitation Team based at Scarborough, led the investigation which secured the conviction.

Said PC Diffey: "It is clear from the investigation that Gilbert has an active sexual interest in children and that he presents a very real danger to society, said PC Diffey.

"Through the work of the police, we were able to intervene before he preyed on young victims.

"We have also ensured that Gilbert has been made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and he is on the Sex Offenders Register.

"This means he will be closely managed by strict public protection measures."

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A sex offender was today jailed for historic sex offences spanning over a period of 30 years.

Anthony Duckers, of Black Horse Close in Newton, Wirral, was found guilty of five counts of indecent assault after a trial at Liverpool Crown Court.

The 64-year-old committed the offences between the 1970s and early 2000s.

He was jailed today for 16 years and handed a restraining order for life.

He was also given a sexual harm prevention order for life.

Detective Constable Kevin Thomas said: I am pleased that Duckers will now spend a number of years behind bars as a consequence of his actions.

I hope that todays proceedings will allow his victims to now move on with their lives and encourage anyone who has been subjected to a sexual offence to come forward and report it.

Time should never be a barrier to obtaining justice.

"Merseyside Police takes every report of sexual offences extremely seriously, whether or not they are recent, and has dedicated officers within the forces Unity Team who are specially trained to both thoroughly investigate allegations and make sure that those reporting them are properly supported.

"I would like to take this opportunity to reassure anyone who has suffered a sexual offence that if you can find the courage to come forward and speak to us, we will deal with you sensitively and make sure that reports are properly and thoroughly investigated."

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A woman has described how part of her has been "destroyed" and she fears she will never recover following historic sexual abuse by a dangerous offender.

The woman was one of three young girls subjected to abuse by Kevin Pritchard, 65, between the 1970s and 90s.

Norwich Crown Court heard that during a 14-year period Pritchard, of Falkland Close, Hellesdon, repeatedly abused the three victims, who were under 12 at the time. He was given a 17 year sentence.

Duncan O'Donnell, prosecuting, said Pritchard had told each of his victims to keep it a secret.

Pritchard, who was between 20 and 30 when the offences were being committed, was arrested last year and admitted the offending stating he did not know why he had done it and had "probably been drinking".

He appeared at court on Monday (October 18) for sentence having previously admitted 15 offences, including gross indecency with a girl under 14 and indecent assault of a girl under 14.

Before Pritchard was sentenced, Mr O'Donnell read out a statement on behalf of one of the victims, describing how the abuse she had suffered left her wanting to take her own life.

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Thomas Martin, 30, set up a Snapchat profile with the name 'TomLock11' and came across a 15-year-old girl asking for someone to buy her tobacco. He agreed but in return for a picture of her boobs, she did so and sent his account to her friend as she also wanted tobacco.

Once he had indecent images of the two girls, Martin used them to pressure the girls into sending more, by threatening to show the images publicly if they didn't comply.

Russell Pyne, prosecuting, told Winchester Crown Court that Martin, of Launcelot Court, Andover, also sent images of his penis and made his victims watch him masturbate.

Mr Pyne said: "(One of the victim's) asked him to delete what he had. The defendant replied saying that he wouldn't but also would post them on four social media sites, Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram."

The other girl said that she would go to the police, but he threatened her saying "he would ruin her life more than she could ruin his". He sent an indecent image of the girl to her friend.

The blackmail came to end after one of the victim's stepmother saw the girl attempting to take an indecent photograph.

Martin was arrested and his phone was examined which was found to contain indecent images – one of Category A, deemed to be the worst by police, 10 of Category B and two Category C.

One of the victim's said: "The experience I went through definitely ruined my life for a while. It was demeaning, I was scared that people would find out what happened. I didn't know who Tom Lock was or if he knew who I was."

The other victim said she felt violated after what happened and left her having panic attacks.

Martin previously pleaded guilty to two counts of blackmail between May 1 and October 21, 2019, disclosing private sexual photographs with intent to cause distress and three charges of making an indecent photograph of a child.

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A trainee solicitor sexually assaulted a sleeping law student at a colleague's party and molested another woman as she slept at the same event.

Tom Hagyard had just started working at one of the worlds largest law firms when he molested a drunken woman as she slept in the party hosts bed.

Minutes later Hagyard groped another woman, who was asleep on the living-room couch.

The 29-year-old told the jury the sexual activity was consensual.

Earlier that same night Hagyard treated his parents and two sisters to a celebratory three-course meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant with his first pay check in the legal profession before making his way to the 700,000 Fulham Road flat party venue in west London.

Hagyard, of Fylde Road, Southport was convicted of two counts of assault by penetration in relation to the first woman and two counts of sexual assault in relation to the second woman.

The jury failed to reach a verdict on one count of raping the first woman.

Jailing Hagyard for eight years, Recorder Simon Russell Flint QC told him: Nobody thought it was going to be anything other than a normal party for young people to get to know each other with drinking and dancing and having fun until your actions brought to an end how that night would be remembered.

The first victim had a lot to drink and was put into bed and out of kindness and regard for your comfort you also were invited to sleep in the bed.

You almost immediately started to touch her. This young lady was sound asleep when you began to touch her sexually and she did not kiss you or give you any encouragement.

She had no idea what was happening to her and could not identify who it was. You were a stranger to her and she did not consent to what you were doing and neither did you believe she was consenting.

You went ahead and did what you wanted to do to this woman and, getting little or no satisfaction, went looking for another victim.

You went into the living-room, where the second woman was asleep.

In her victim impact statement the first woman said the night left her with chronic stress, anxiety, insomnia and panic attacks, adding: The nightmares I have in relation to the assaults are impossible to shake off.

The defendants actions have destroyed my trust and personal faith in other people. I have felt ashamed that I did not fight back and still berate myself about it.

The second woman, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, said: Tom Hagyard, I dont hate you. You are a stranger to me.

I hope you can explore why you are the way you are and seek resolution so you do not harm anyone else. I am grieving for the loss of my old self, I miss her deeply.

The last four years have been torture with the anticipation of being in court, she told the court.

Isleworth Crown Court heard that Hagyard arrived at the party, on October 15, 2017, with a bottle of wine and in the early hours the first victim woke with Hagyard on top of her.

We got very drunk and I dont remember a lot. I took myself to bed and I woke up and there was a boy sort of on top of me, she told the trial.

The woman added: I was going in and out of consciousness and did not think I could move. I froze a bit, I didnt fight him off or anything.

I remember trying to push him away. I was staring at the wall for a while.

I felt very drunk, nine or ten out of ten drunk. I kept my eyes closed for a bit and I remember feeling confused.

He was on top of me and I was in pain. I felt like I could not move or fight him off and my memory goes in and out, I have flashes.

Hagyard claimed the second woman invited him onto the sofa, where he began massaging her chest.

However, prosecutor Richard Job said: She had also had a bit to drink and was sleeping in her clothes. She was woken at 5.30am by someone touching her chest.

She was scared and she got up and went quickly to the hosts bedroom.

Hagyard complained about how his potentially distinguished career was destroyed before it even started.

It has been difficult. I lost my job at the law firm, he told the court.

Hagyards lawyer Karina Arden told the court: This is a terrible tragedy not just for the complainants, but for the defendant and his family, who have accompanied him throughout the trial.

His professional life that he worked so hard for is over. He has changed from being a confident young trainee solicitor who was ambitious and dreamed of a career in commercial law.

He has suffered every day for the last four years and regrets the incident that night in that flat and it will remain with him for the rest of his life.

Hagyard will remain on the sex offenders register indefinitely and must serve two thirds of the sentence before he can be considered for parole.

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Paul Wallis, a 66-year-old man, has been sentenced for committing a series of child sexual offences over more than three decades.

The offences, which spanned from 1984 to 2016, involved indecent assault, sexually assaulting a child under 13, and sexual activity with a child. Wallis carried out the abuse when he was drunk and when opportunities arose, including attacking victims while they were asleep and vulnerable. Some of the incidents took place at his home in Hoades Wood Road, Sturry, during sleepovers. The crimes were committed against multiple victims, including an incident in the 1980s where he groped a 12-year-old. Four other victims also came forward regarding the abuse.

At Canterbury Crown Court, Wallis pleaded guilty before trial to three counts of indecent assault, one count of sexually assaulting a child under 13, and four counts of sexual activity with a child. Six additional sexual offence charges were ordered to lie on file. He was sentenced to seven years in prison.

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A man who grabbed two women's bottoms - one in Asda - has been ordered to sign the sex offenders' register.

Kouros Hassanzadeh told a woman that he 'really wanted to have sex with her' during the first assault in the Thornaby supermarket.

Two days later, the 28-year-old then grabbed a runner's bum in an alleyway.

He pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a woman in Asda on Allensway on May 2.

As reported, the woman was browsing in one of the aisles when she noticed a man “looking at her”.

After moving to another aisle she saw him again.

Hassanzadeh then “grabbed her bottom with some grip”, the court heard, before grabbing it a second time. He then followed her and touched her bottom again.

The victim reported the incident to a shop assistant who alerted the supermarket’s security guard and Hassanzadeh was led out of the store.

The second sexual assault happened on May 4.

The victim was jogging on Allensway before turning right down a cut.

Halfway down the path her bottom was “grabbed” and Hassanzadeh stepped in front of her telling her, “With an a*** that looks that nice you have to grab it”.

He added: “I’m not going to hurt you, I just want one kiss and I’ll leave you alone.”

Hassanzadeh had no previous convictions and has mental health issues.

The 28-year-old, of Lancaster Way, Thornaby, pleaded guilty to the two sex assaults.

He was given an 18-month community order with an accredited Horizon programme.

This is an intervention delivered to men who have a sexual conviction and are considered to be at a medium, high or very high risk of re-offending.

He must carry out 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and was ordered to pay costs and charges of £180.

He will also be on the sex offenders' register for the next five years.

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Fifty-year-old Andrew Gordon Chapman was visited at his home by vigilantes who then called police, resulting in his initial arrest, Carlisle Crown Court heard.

Chapman’s phone was seized and subjected to forensic analysis which revealed what a judge called “despicable and repulsive” WhatsApp chats. In these he discussed the serious sexual abuse of children and his boasts of what he had done to one of two young victims. One was aged just two or three when his crimes were committed.

A jury heard Chapman carried out sexual crimes against two girls and encouraged them not to tell.

He made repeated denials, pleaded not guilty to seven charges and went on trial at the crown court earlier this week.

But Chapman, an HGV driver whose address was given as Warwick Square, Carlisle, was convicted, unanimously, on all seven counts.

During his sentencing hearing this morning, moving impact statements were read which detailed the profound impact of Chapman’s crimes on the victims.

Judge Nicholas Barker said of the “heart-wrenching” statements, as he handed down a 19-year jail term: “You have ripped up their childhood. You have left a stain and a scar upon them that will be there for ever more.”

"You have not shown any remorse at all. Your only emotive reactions were your own sense of indignity at being door-stepped by the vigilante group and upon the verdicts of the jury being returned. I am satisfied you care only for yourself."

The judge also imposed an extended one-year licence period after concluding Chapman — a man without any other convictions — should be deemed an “offender of particular concern”. He must serve at least two-thirds of his sentence behind bars, and his release will only be considered if a parole board deem it is safe.

In addition, Chapman must sign the sex offenders’ register, and comply with the strict terms of a prevention order, both for an indefinite period.

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A pensioner who intended to rape a 12-year-old girl took a Viagra tablet and bottle of Blue WKD with him.

William Meehan, then 75, travelled from Kirkby to a swimming pool in Preston to meet up with a girl called "Jess".

In online chats he told Jess she was his "girlfriend" and he wanted to "make love" to her while her mum was away.

But the girl was actually an undercover police officer and when he arrived at the leisure centre, he was arrested.

Meehan appeared in the dock at Liverpool Crown Court today using two crutches, a hearing aid loop and oxygen mask.

The now 76-year-old, of Cawthorne Avenue, Southdene, Kirkby, went by the username "Scouser2020" on chat room Chat Avenue, "BillyKirkby" on messaging app Kik Messenger, and "Billy Meehan" on Skype.

Kenneth Grant, prosecuting, said police found his activity on those platforms revealed a sexual interest in young girls.

On January 15 last year, he started talking with "Jess" on Chat Avenue, when Meehan told her he was 35 and claimed he'd been speaking with other girls "all over England", aged between 11 and 19.

Meehan told Jess he could get "locked up" for speaking to a 13-year-old and she said she was actually 12, before their conversation moved to Kik.

He said he could get locked up for "grooming" and had chatted to a 12-year-old girl from Wigan, who wanted sex for money, but hadn't taken that further.

Mr Grant said: "He stated that he had not had sex 'for ages' as he was a widower."

Meehan said he could easily travel to Preston to pick her up and take her back to his house.

Mr Grant said: "He told her that she did not need to worry about getting pregnant as he had had a vasectomy."

The OAP, who said he worked as a mechanic and drove a Ford Focus, gave Jess his phone number to chat over WhatsApp, before they talked on Skype.

On January 16, he called her "my lovely girlfriend", said he'd bring a bottle of Blue WKD to help her "relax", and that he wanted to "make love" to her, as opposed to just "having sex".

Meehan said: "You tell me the day, time and place and I'll be there."

They arranged to meet at Fulwood Leisure Centre and Meehan told Jess he'd planned the 36-mile journey on his satnav.

On January 21 he assured her he was "absolutely serious", had already bought the WKD and would meet after her mum dropped her off.

After arranging to meet by the vending machines, he drove to the centre on January 23, only to be arrested in the car park.

Mr Grant said police seized his iPhone, the Blue WKD, a bottle opener and glass, and a "Viagra tablet that was recovered from the storage compartment under the steering wheel."

Officer searched his home and found a laptop, which contained 22 extreme porn bestiality files.

When interviewed by police, Meehan said he was going to bring Jess home to "fondle" her, but while he'd said they could "f***", claimed "he was impotent so that could not happen" and the Viagra was for use with a woman he'd been seeing.

When the chat logs were put to him, he moaned: "She dropped the hook and reeled me in."

He also said he didn't want her mum knowing "in case she notified the police".

Meehan admitted two counts of attempted sexual communication with a child and possessing extreme porn.

But he denied attempting to facilitate the commission of a child sex offence until pleading guilty two weeks before a trial.

This was on a basis of plea, rejected by the prosecution, in which he claimed he hadn't intended to have "penetrative sexual intercourse".

That led to a Newton Hearing - a form of mini trial where a judge establishes disputed facts - in which his claim was rejected.

Meehan has past convictions for dishonesty and driving offences, but none since 1973.

Sarah Holt, defending, said her remorseful client was "terrified" of jail and had "absolutely no intention of committing any sort of offence like this ever again".

Ms Holt said: "He has a number of different medical conditions, some of which are significant. That for which he is under the care of Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital could be said to be really quite serious indeed."

Ms Holt said the court process had been a time of "great anxiety and stress", which worsened Meehan's health conditions and led to him being hospitalised.

She said: "It could be said that is entirely his own fault, that would be absolutely accurate, but it's only right your honour knows he stands before the court, a man of 76 years of age, he's thoroughly ashamed and disgusted in himself."

Judge David Swinnerton told Meehan: "You were dishonest in your young days but you were law-abiding from 1973 it seems up until 2020. But in 2020 you committed extremely serious sexual offences and disgraced yourself in your old age."

He added: "You commented I think in your interview and indeed during your evidence to me 'she was nearly 13'. Well, that's absolutely no excuse whatsoever."

The judge said Meehan planned and "thought through" what he would do, telling Jess how to keep it secret from her mum, that he wanted it to be "a long term relationship not just a one off meeting", and bringing the WKD and Viagra.

He said: "I am absolutely sure you intended to take a 12-year-old back home for sexual intercourse.

"You used your impotence as part of why you said 'oh, that was never going to happen'...

"You had a Viagra tablet in the car. That was part of your kit to carry this out."

Meehan shook his head as he was jailed for three years and seven months.

He must sign the Sex Offenders Register for life and comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

He will serve a minimum of 22 years in prison.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Description

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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