Latest Offenders

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A PERVERT who was caught out in a paedophile hunter sting has been sent back to jail. Andrew Mayers, of Kendrick Street in Warrington town centre, was originally jailed for 16 months at Chester Crown Court in December 2018 after being found guilty of a range of sexual offences. This came after the now 44-year-old operating with the username Daddys Girls contacted an online profile he believed was a child and sent a string of vile messages attempting to the groom the youngster. But the account was actually a decoy being operated by the Safeguarding the Innocent paedophile hunter group. Mayers was also told to sign the sex offenders register for 10 years and handed a sexual harm prevention order of the same length, restricting his use of the internet and contact with under 16s. But, in January this year, he was caught in possession of a mobile phone which he refused to produce to police a violation of the court order. And he was imprisoned for a further 16 months at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday, February 21, having admitted breaching a SHPO during an earlier hearing. Mayers was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of 156.

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A PAEDOPHILE who sent naked images of himself to a child online and had a video of a young girl being assaulted on his computer has been jailed. David Dennerley, of Crest Avenue, Basildon, was arrested after a school teacher found sexual messages he sent to a girl and raised the alarm with her parents. The 42-year-old was jailed for a year and four months at Basildon Crown Court yesterday. The court was told police raided his house in September and found 110 indecent images and videos of children. He also had roughly 48 sexual conversations with children on his electronic devices. Prosecuting, Matthew Bagnall, said: He sent naked images of himself to the girls online and they sent images back too. On March 9 one girl got a message from him saying stunning and they began to chat online. She clearly told him she was underage and he instigated sexual conversation. These were found by a teacher who told her parents and then the police were informed. Police raided his home on September 7 and found the devices with the images and videos. There were many similar conversations with a considerable number of people who identified themselves as being underage. Mitigating, Sasha Bailey, told the court he was a carer for his sick parents. She said: His father has significant arthritis with deteriorating breaking bones and since 11, Dennerley has cared for both of his parents. His mother has back and thyroid issues. He says he was stresses and tired at the time of these offences and it caused to behave in this appalling way. Sentencing, Judge Samantha Cohen, said: You had more than 100 indecent images and one video of a young girl being sexually assaulted. You also had 48 sexual conversations with girls. I cannot suspend this sentence as its so serious.

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Jacob Smith, of Whickham, engaged in sexual communication with a '14-year-old' who bizarrely turned out to be a decoy profile being run by a woman who cuts his wife's hair. A pervert who thought he was having a sex chat with a child was actually talking to his wife's hairdresser working as an undercover paedophile hunter. Jacob Smith made contact with a 14-year-old girl's profile on the Grindr app in September 2019 and discussed sex in "explicit" detail. The married dad, 39, who used the moniker "4trans" said he wanted to take the child's virginity and encouraged her to truant from school. A court heard the fake teen profile had been set up by vigilantes Guardians of the North. He was told he was talking to a confused teen who was a girl but wanted to be a boy. Newcastle Crown Court heard the adult behind the account had set it up and waited for contact, which Smith started with the massage "hi beautiful". By a bizarre coincidence, the decoy who was behind the fake teen profile was Smith's wife's hairdresser, who knew the family and recognised him instantly when he sent his photograph. Smith, of Front Street, Whickham, Gateshead, denied attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, claimed he knew who was behind the fake profile and had sent the messages for "amusement" at a time when he was not thinking straight. But after a trial by jury, he was found guilty of the charge and has now been jailed for eight months. Smith has to sign the sex offenders register and abide by a sexual harm prevention order for ten years. Recorder Alex Menary said he accepted Smith was suffering from depression as a result of stress, brought on by a promotion at work and personal problems, but said only a custodial sentence could provide sufficient punishment. The judge said: "By a twist of fate the decoy was your wife's hairdresser. "When you sent pictures of yourself she recognised you. "On learning you were in London on business she contacted the police. "You made no comment when arrested." The court heard Smith later claimed he knew it was the hairdresser all along as he was "aware of her work" so went along as entertainment and distraction. He also claimed he wasn't thinking straight, knew word of what he had done would get back to his wife and continued with it as a "cry for help". The court heard Smith was "ill" at the time of the offences and has since received treatment. He and his family had to sell their home once word of his offending got out and he now lives away from them. Philip Gibbs, defending, said: "He was ill, to quite a considerable degree. It wasn't a short lived or trivial illness, it was a gathering storm. "He accepts the process and the verdict of the jury because that is justice."

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A sex offender who left a teenage girl having nightmares after a campaign of abuse has been jailed.

Guildford Crown Court heard Guiseppi Volante, of Glebelands in West Molesey, started to abuse the girl when they were alone.

The court heard the 56-year-old would cut the girl's clothing off, and on one occasion even attempted to rape her while they were out on a walk.

However his reign of abuse ended when Volante's crime were reported to Surrey Police after the youngster confided in a friend.

When police searched Volante's home after interviewing him, they discovered a series of pornographic videos with titles such as Abused Girls Sleeping and Drug Abused Girls.

Volante's victim spoke of the abuse she faced when giving an impact statement in court.

She said: "Every day I fight with myself, trying to move on, be normal, but I will never get that opportunity. You took that from me.

"I started to have nightmares. In one of them, I was running away from you. It was like I was going as fast as I could but I wasnt actually running that fast.

I was screaming for help but no one was around. At the end, before I woke up, I found help, finally. I was unsure on why I had these dreams, so I sought to ask a friend and she explained that nightmares are a way for our brain to cope with trauma.

Volante has now been jailed for 10 years after being convicted of seven charges against the same child, including three counts of penetrative sexual activity, three counts of non-penetrative sexual activity and one count of attempted rape.

He will also remain on the Sex Offender's Register indefinitely.

Detective Constable Julia Thomas, who investigated the case for Surrey Police, said: This was a horrific crime where an older man repeatedly preyed on a vulnerable young girl, relying on her silence to continue his abuse.

The victim showed incredible bravery coming forward after what happened to her as a child and my colleagues in our Victim and Witness Care Unit have worked closely with her to provide support throughout the investigation and court proceedings.

I hope todays result shows that were determined to thoroughly investigate all reports of sexual abuse, no matter how long ago they happened. Please dont think there wont be enough evidence to progress the case - we will work with you and do our very best to ensure those responsible are held accountable.

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A FORMER gymnastics teacher who sexually assaulted two children has been jailed. In December last year, 62-year-old David Schadek was convicted of four counts of sexual assault, one count of sexual assault of a child, and one count of perverting the course of justice. It related to assaults on children between 2004 and 2017. After the offences came to light when one of the incidents was reported to police in January 2018, work by officers from the Child Abuse Investigation Team identified other incidents. Today, at Chelmsford Crown Court, Schadek, of Fenno Close, Colchester was jailed for four and a half years. In a statement, one of his victims and their family said: David Schadek groomed children and betrayed their trust. We are relieved that no others will have to suffer at his hands and now he has to face the consequences of his actions. We would like to acknowledge the bravery of the victims for speaking out and telling their truth. "Also thanks to Essex Police for their many years of hard work and support to get justice for the victims. Detective Inspector Fred Tompkins said: David Schadek is a predator who preyed upon his young victims. It is through their bravery that we have been able to put him behind bars, unable to put other children at risk. They have shown tremendous courage in telling us what happened to them and their resilience throughout this long investigation has been incredible. I want to thank them for their trust in us and hope they take comfort in the knowledge Schadek has now been brought to justice for what he has done. We will continue to work to root out those who prey on children and lay bare their heinous crimes for all to see. I urge anyone who has been the victim of a sexual crime to contact Essex Police. Our specialist officers will support you and your voice will be heard.

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A shocked dad appeared ashen-faced when jailed for making the 'most appalling' indecent images of children being raped. Repeat offender Matthew Griffiths had been convicted of similar offences in 2005 and Worcester judge Nicolas Cartwright, speaking at Worcester Crown Court on Wednesday, said the defendant had plainly not been rehabilitated, asking him how he would feel if his own children were treated in a similar way. The defendant, who appeared to have no bag of belongings in preparation for any potential prison sentence, turned pale in the dock when he learned he would be going straight to prison. The 42-year-old, who was said to still enjoy the support of his wife, admitted making indecent images of children at category A (the most serious level), category B and C and having extreme pornographic images involving animals. In total there were 5 images at category A, 10 at category B and 4 at category C and eight extreme pornographic images. The judge in his sentencing remarks said the ages of the victims in the category A images were seven to nine years old, 10 and between 14 and 16. Ravi Sidhu, prosecuting, said the indecent material was found on the defendant's Samsung mobile phone when he was arrested on May 25 last year. When interviewed by police Griffiths answered 'no comment'. He has a conviction for eight 'similar offences' from 2005, the offending itself taking place in 2002. That resulted in a three year community order, revoked in 2007 'for what appears to be good behaviour' said Mr Sidhu. Referring to the recent offences, Mr Sidhu said: "This is an escalation of his offending." The prosecutor argued that the earlier conviction for similar offences was an aggravating feature. Julia Needham, defending, said it was simple possession of the images with no evidence of distribution and that the majority of the images were at category B, rather than A. Mrs Needham said: "There were hundreds of images and videos on the device - hundreds of legal images." However, she stressed she was 'not trying to undermine the seriousness of the offences' but that some non-illegal material had also been downloaded at the same time. She described how, at the time, her client had been in an 'unfortunate position' with repeated postponements of his bowel cancer screening during the pandemic. Urging the judge to suspend the inevitable prison sentence, Mrs Needham also said that his last conviction for similar offences was in 2005 but that the offending happened in 2002 - 20 years ago. She argued that he could take part in the Horizon programme designed to rehabilitate sex offenders. Describing Griffiths as a father-of-three in full time employment, she provided a reference from his wife 'who remains supportive of him'. Judge Nicolas Cartwright told the defendant: "As a father-of-three children I invite you to think about the offending portrayed in the images that were seen on your equipment. The children shown in the images that you have an interest in were plainly subjected to the most appalling sexual abuse - and photographed while it went on. You would plainly be horrified if someone did such things to your children." He added: "As well as the emotional and psychological harm that simply must have been caused to these poor victims they will also no doubt - those of them that are still alive - have the additional burden of knowing there is photographic evidence of those dreadful crimes being committed upon them and that these photographs and, where it is moving images, films are out there on the internet for people with a sexual interest like yours to look at if they choose to do so." Because it was 'repeat offending', Judge Cartwright told Griffiths of Abbotsmead Road, Hereford: "It does have to be immediate custody." Griffiths was jailed for 12 months. Judge Cartwright also made a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years which restricts the defendant's use of the internet and gives police extra powers to monitor his devices which must retain and display the history of internet use and be made available for inspection on request by police. The forfeiture and destruction of the phone was also ordered. As a sex offender, notification and registration provisions also apply for the next 10 years.

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A man aged 68 has been jailed for six years for sexual offences against a boy. Paul Malone, of Stone Street, Allerton, Bradford, had already served a five and a half year prison sentence imposed in 2017 for similar offending against another child. He was convicted by a jury at Bradford Crown Court yesterday of two allegations of sexually touching a boy under 13. His victim read out a moving statement in court detailing how the abuse had ruined his childhood. His schooling was affected, he had suffered sleepless nights and had struggled both emotionally and physically to form relationships. Geraldine Kelly said in mitigation that Malone was already under supervision as part of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order imposed in 2017. He was the sole carer for his ill mother and lived with her after his wife had divorced him. Deputy Circuit Judge Peter Armstrong said they were two very serious offences against a vulnerable young boy. Malone had been sentenced to five-and-a-half years imprisonment in 2017 for similar offending against another child. You have an unnatural sexual interest in young boys, Judge Armstrong told him. He praised Malones victim for the moving and eloquent statement he had read out in court at todays sentencing hearing. Malone is already subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and he must continue to sign on the sex offender register for the rest of his life.

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Wajid Ali lured the woman into his Walsall home in March 2019 before lunging at her, which caused them both to fall down the stairs.

He then sexually assaulted her, but the victim managed to scream out which alerted a neighbour who contacted the police.

When officers arrived they detained Ali, who tried deny attacking the woman who is aged aged in her 30s.

She has now been praised for her courage speaking out about the incident, recalling the attack and ensuring police had strong enough evidence to put Ali behind bars.

The 43-year-old, of Webster Road, Walsall, pleaded guilty to sexual assault and was jailed for four-and-a-half years.

He was sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court last Friday and was put on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

Det Con Gina Tonks, who led the investigation for West Midlands Police, said: "The woman was courageous enough to make a statement and support a police investigation.

"Ali is a dangerous man and she has helped ensure he's lost his freedom and can't do the same to anyone else.

"She told us she hopes that by coming forward that other victims - including from the Asian community like herself - may be brave enough to speak out in the future.

"Anyone who has been subjected to the horrific experience of being assaulted will have our full help and support as we seek to put attackers behind bars."

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A paedophile hid his dark past from a new girlfriend by lying about what he had been to prison for.

John Bishop moved into the woman's Wirral home and gave her one of two mobile phones he had bought.

The 47-year-old was present when she had family over for Christmas dinner, including a nine-year-old child.

Liverpool Crown Court heard the woman only found out the truth when police tracked him down to her address.

But his lawyer revealed she is standing by Bishop - despite him being outed as a child sex predator.

Bishop previously admitted engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child under 16 and a series of offences of exposure at Worcester Crown Court.

That involved him repeatedly exposing himself to a young girl, spying on her and performing a sex act on himself while watching her.

The paedophile was jailed for three years, given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and told to sign on the Sex Offenders Register in July 2018.

He today pleaded guilty to four counts of breaching the SHPO, having previously admitted failing to comply with the requirements of the Sex Offenders Register.

Christopher Hopkins, prosecuting, said Bishop was released from jail in November 2019 and moved to a home in Waterpark Road, Prenton, before he started a relationship with the woman.

Mr Hopkins said: "She says that since June 2021 he had been living with her at an address on the Wirral, which was not his registered address."

The court heard a sex offender manager from Merseyside Police visited his address in Waterpark Road on a number of occasions since 2019 but he wasn't there and the landlord said "I don't think he's living here".

Mr Hopkins said enquiries led them to the partner's address.

Police discovered he had bought two mobile phones in March 2020, both capable of accessing the internet, and gave one to his girlfriend. He failed to produce these to the police for inspection.

Mr Hopkins said: "He told his partner he was under the supervision of probation because he had been to prison for assaulting a police officer, which obviously wasn't the case."

John Weate, defending, said after coming out of prison, Bishop found work in Merseyside as a roofer and moved to the address in Waterpark Road.

However, he said during the pandemic his landlord wasn't happy with people visiting his home and at the time his girlfriend often used to stay over, so he moved in with her, although he accepted this was not an excuse.

Mr Weate said: "There were no children under the relevant age at that address when he moved in. He accepts that he didn't advise his partner of the reasons why he had served a prison sentence.

"The reason for that was in his own mind, he was simply concerned that she would take the - perhaps to many would be understandable - view that she wouldn't want to continue the relationship."

However, he added: "His fears in relation to his partner have not proved to be correct because she has - notwithstanding the fact that she has provided a statement to the police - she has remained in contact with the defendant whilst he's been in custody, and, as I understand it, intends to resume the relationship on his release, whenever that may be."

Mr Weate said nothing illegal or suspicious was found on either phone and on Christmas Day, when some 14 people were in the house for two to three hours, there was no suggestion of "any impropriety" by his client.

He said Bishop had "a number of adult children himself, one of whom still maintains contact with him".

The lawyer added: "His intention in the fullness of time is for him to renew the relationship with his partner, to get employment and try, if he can, to put this sorry episode in his life behind him."

Mr Weate said his client's 2018 offences were committed at a time when "he had lost control of his life" and was misusing illicit substances "as a consequence of childhood experiences".

He said those experiences that Bishop went through as a child "resulted in a conviction against a person with whom he was associated".

Judge David Aubrey, QC, said the SHPO had been put in place to protect children and it was Bishop's responsibility to comply with it.

He told Bishop: "Whilst the court accepts the background, eloquently made by Mr Weate, you made a deliberate choice to ignore that order in respect of a number of ways and not to communicate with the authorities for a considerable period of time."

Judge Aubrey said they were "flagrant" breaches of the order and jailed Bishop for two years and eight months.

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Nathan Ali, who believed she was older, took the child to the student house where his ex lived and she found them in bed A rapist said he had sex with a 12-year-old girl he met in McDonald's to make his girlfriend jealous. Nathan Ali took his victim from a Newcastle branch of the fast food outlet to a student house, where his ex girlfriend lived. He then had sex with her while the occupants were out. A court heard his former partner and her flatmate returned home, saw them in bed and contacted the police after realising she was a child. Stephen Littlewood, prosecuting, told Newcastle Crown Court : "They discovered the defendant, naked in bed, along with the victim, who was wearing a top but no underwear. "They formed the opinion she was a child aged around 14 or 15. "He had no right to be in the property." The court heard Ali and the schoolgirl had got into a conversation about Snapchat in McDonald's, which led to them going to what she thought was his home. Mr Littlewood said Ali had gone into the student house, in Newcastle, about three to four times, without permission, after the breakdown of his relationship with one of the residents. Ali, 22, of Bridant Road, London, admitted rape of a child under 13 on the basis the victim had told him she was 17 when they started chatting. Judge Robert Adams sentenced him to four-and-a-half years behind bars with a one year extended licence period. The judge said although Ali may have been told the girl was 17, the two women at the student house believed her to be 14 or 15 and said although exact age is difficult to determine from sight alone, she looked "young". Judge Adams told Ali: "You say your intention was to make your ex partner jealous. "She was one of the people who found you in her flat." The judge added: "The two females appear to have immediately formed the view she was a child." Ali must sign the sex offenders register for life, abide by a sexual harm prevention order for ten years and was given a restraining order to keep him away from his ex for five years. The court heard Ali, who was 21 at the time, has never been in trouble before and is an "intelligent man". Paul Cross, defending, said: "This was a young man thinking he was having sexual intercourse with a 17-year-old, who was willing to have sexual intercourse with him." Mr Cross said the victim did not look as young as her true age.

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A convicted paedophile formed a relationship with a mum of two young children without telling her about his past.

Alan Airey, 37, met the woman via Facebook after his release in April last year following a four and a half year sentence for child sexual assault and grooming.

He used a false surname and began staying over with the woman, her children and a young teenage girl who also shared the Merseyside house.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that the woman had been "shocked and concerned" when she learnt of his past, but Airey, who appeared via video link from prison, told the court she was actually visiting to bring in his underwear tomorrow.

His behaviour, which was banned by a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, (SHPO) had come to light after police received an anonymous phone call saying a convicted paedophile was staying at the house.

Claire Jones, prosecuting, said: It was made following a newspaper article publicising matters about the defendant."

On January 23, police found Airey upstairs and when arrested he initially made no reply, but a few minutes later he said, Is it because Im here?

Liverpool Crown Court heard that the woman said she knew he had been released from prison but he had told her he had been inside for robbery.

She said she was unaware he had a conviction for sexual offences.

Miss Jones said that the woman knew him as Alan Clegg and he also used another surname and sent her a friend message on Facebook around last Christmas which led to them exchanging numbers.

Miss Jones told the court: He visited on January 7 and their relationship began from there. He had been there at the address on a number of occasions and stayed overnight for up to three days at a time.

The woman said they had normal family time together in the house and sometimes he was alone with the two young children while she was elsewhere in the house.

The court was told that he had also sometimes been alone with the young teenage girl while she was out collecting her children from school.

Miss Jones said that the girl was spoken to and she confirmed that nothing untoward had occurred between them.

She added: When interviewed Airey made full and frank admissions and admitted he had not told his supervising officers that he had been staying at the house and had commenced an intimate relationship with the woman.

Airey was acting in breach of the SHPO and was also in breach of six of the conditions of his licence from prison. He has since been recalled and is not due for release before June next year.

The court heard he has 26 previous convictions for 53 offences although the only sexual offences occurred in 2018 for which he was jailed the following year and involved sexual activity with two teenage girls and grooming another girl aged under 16.

Airey, of Halkyn Road, Chester, pleaded guilty to being in breach of the Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Jeremy Rawson, defending, said that Airey is motivated to change and was considered suitable for a Cheshire pilot project for such offenders which involves rigorous supervision after release.

He said there had been local and national publicity about Aireys previous conviction and so he had used his mums maiden name on release.

Jailing him for two years the judge, Recorder Katherine Pierpoint said that a probation officer said he had been making "real efforts" to turn his life around but this was tempered by the fact he had not told the officer about his new relationship.

The judge added: "This was a very serious and persistent breach lasting for for about a month and you stayed on a number of occasions at that address. The risk here was a serious one, you had concealed your identity and were on licence."

The judge went on to say that she would make the restraining order to keep away from the woman and her family as requested by the prosecution but Airey, who appeared via video link suddenly announced: Shes coming to visit me tomorrow.

He continued: Were in a relationship, shes bringing my underwear in and probation know that.

Miss Jones said that further inquiries would be made and Recorder Pierpoint consequently did not make the restraining order.

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Women came in through Manchester Airport to work in brothels A couple who trafficked vulnerable sex workers into the UK via Manchester Airport to work in a brothel have been jailed. Fabiani Alvez De Souza, 42, and her husband Gareth Derby, 53, were found guilty at trial of a number of offences following a large-scale police investigation into prostitution identified them. Officers working under North Yorkshire Police's 'Operation Oasis' began investigating the pair in 2017 and spoke to five sex workers on Bower Road in Harrogate. On the third visit in December 17, North Yorkshire Police said it 'became clear that a brothel was being operated' from the flat. Officers said that another woman was facilitating the travel of the workers to the UK and that 'she was involved in the management of their activities'. Yorkshire Live reports that De Souza rented the flat and then created, posted and even paid for adverts on an adult website under 'Escorts and Massages' alongside part of a Harrogate postcode. At the same time, she also paid for similar adverts in the South Wooton/PE30 area which related to another rented address on Nelson Street in Kings Lynn, Norfolk. Investigators also found that De Souza and Derby were paying for flights from Lisbon, Amsterdam and Brussels to the UK and train and road travel from airports across the country to the flat in Harrogate, and another rented flat in Kings Lynn. Police said that in September 2017, the pair travelled to Manchester Airport to collect a woman who had travelled from Amsterdam. They then drove her to the flat in Harrogate and the next day an advert was posted to an adult website and the couple returned to Kings Lynn. The investigation showed that De Souza was controlling her activities and that between October 25 and 30, two more cash deposits of 500 and 600 were made into her bank account in Harrogate. Financial records showed that De Souza then paid 70.98 for an EasyJet flight for the same woman who flew from London Stansted to Amsterdam on October 29. A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: "Following this, three cash deposits were made in Harrogate to De Souza's bank account in varying amounts from 163 to over 1,000. "Neither De Souza or Derby were in Harrogate when these deposits were made." Officers from both North Yorkshire Police and Norfolk Constabulary visited the couple's home in Walpole St Andrew, Kings Lynn, and spoke to a woman they had previously seen at the flat in Harrogate. Another woman who was involved in prostitution was found at the address and De Souza was arrested. Derby was later arrested and a financial examination showed the couple had spent thousands of pounds setting up the business, but had received cash deposits of more than 40,000 during a six-month period. They were both found guilty at a trial at Leeds Crown Court of a number of offences including controlling prostitution for gain. A jury heard De Souza and Derby had exploited seven women between the ages of 26 and 60 from Brazil, Portugal and Spain and they were jailed for five years. They were also made the subject of slavery and trafficking orders that will last for 10 years after their release from prison. Detective Constable Leah Kitchen from North Yorkshire Police's Organised Crime Unit said: "De Souza claimed throughout the investigation that she was just helping friends of hers who were working as prostitutes, while Derby repeatedly told the police that he was unaware of what was going on. "The truth of the matter is that they, together, were operating an illegal business involving human trafficking and controlling prostitution for gain. "This is an important case as it is a victimless prosecution for a human trafficking and controlling prostitution investigation, which is unusual and more difficult to progress to court. "I'm very proud that North Yorkshire Police, with assistance from Norfolk Constabulary, have rooted out this activity and brought the offenders to justice." De Souza was convicted under the Sexual Offences Act of eight offences of controlling prostitution for gain, along with seven offences under the Modern Slavery Act for arranging or facilitating the travel of another person with a view to exploitation. Derby was found guilty of two charges in relation to controlling prostitution for gain and arranging or facilitating the travel of another person with a view to exploitation.

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Graham Manicom has received a four-year sentence. John Bancroft's brother, Graham Manicom, was also found to have met the victims for sex in a hotel room on two occasions. The 62-year-old, also from Essex, pleaded guilty to two counts of paying for the sexual services of a child and was handed a four-year sentence. The two men came to the attention of police after one of the victim's sisters grew suspicious of someone she was speaking to online and reported it.

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Bancroft used apps such as MyLol to make fake accounts and offer "sugar daddy" arrangements. His brother, Graham Manicom, was also found to have met the victims for sex on two occasions. A man has been jailed for 25 years after being found guilty of using dating apps and posing as a "sugar daddy" to sexually exploit seven teenagers. John Bancroft, from Essex, was found guilty of four counts of rape, meeting a child following sexual grooming, paying for the sexual services of a child, attempting, causing or inciting the sexual exploitation of a child, and attempting sexual communication with a child. During a seven-week trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court, he was found to have used apps such as MyLol to target vulnerable girls in order to manipulate them. The 68-year-old used the sites to offer "sugar daddy" arrangements with teens aged between 13 and 18 from 2016 to 2017. Sadomasochistic acts, 100 messages a day and indecent images During the trial, the court heard how Bancroft would tell the victims he was much younger than his actual age and offer them money to participate in sexual acts with him. He offered to be their mentor, teacher, and father but, in fact, he was "satisfying his own twisted demands," Metropolitan Police said. The court was told Bancroft would send victims up to 100 WhatsApp messages a day when they did not reply and would drive them to remote areas for sex. As a result of the persistent messages, some of the victims met Bancroft and in return for food, money, or gifts, were expected to pander to his demands, including group sex and sadomasochistic acts. He also took indecent images of the girls and shared them on WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. Prior to the trial, Bancroft pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm against a child during sexual activity and 14 counts of taking, possessing, and distributing indecent images of children. In the second week of the trial, he pleaded guilty to a further 15 offences including paying for the sexual services of a child, causing or inciting the sexual exploitation of a child and attempted sexual communication with a child. 'A serious risk to vulnerable women and girls' The brothers were described by police as "sick and twisted" and as posing a "serious risk to vulnerable women and children." Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, who is the Met's lead responsible officer for exploitation, said: "I am glad they will be behind bars for a significant period of time."

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A house guest crept into a sleeping student's room at night and raped her in her own bed.

The victim had earlier been out partying in Leicester city centre with her housemates, who invited Mauro Eric Catamo De Oliveira and his friend back to their nearby home for more drinks.

The victim left the group socialising in the communal living area and went to her bedroom alone, where she fell into a drunken slumber - only to be awoken in horrendous circumstances.

Richard Thatcher, prosecuting, said she was shocked and terrified to be awoken by the defendant sexually touching her in bed, which culminated in rape, in the early hours of Wednesday September 28, 2016.

Catamo De Oliveira, 30, of no fixed address, fled the country to his homeland Portugal after being charged and was only recently extradited to the UK to face trial at Leicester Crown Court.

A jury convicted him of sexual assault and rape, which he denied, claiming the victim consented - but he admitted breaching his bail by going on the run.

Passing sentence, Judge Philip Head said: "The complainant and her housemates, all students in this city, went for a night out and in the early hours they met you and your friend in a bar and invited you both back to their flat.

"Whatever might have been intended by the other women or your friend, the complainant had no sexual interest in you.

"She then went to her room and fell deeply asleep and would have been affected by a substantial amount of drink she'd earlier consumed.

"The general understanding was you'd sleep on the sofa in the communal living room.

"You made your way uninvited into her bedroom."

The judge said the victim awoke to find an apparent stranger laying behind her in bed.

The judge described her as being "bewildered and terrified" as the defendant proceeded to have unprotected sex with her, despite her resistance.

The university student managed to escape from the bed and locked herself in the bathroom, where she messaged a friend for help.

The defendant made off.

Judge Head said: "She was absolutely distraught and crying hysterically and was unable to speak for some time."

In her confusion, she was convinced it was someone else that had got into the flat and later said the defendant hadn't seemed 'the type' to behave in that way.

The judge said: "When arrested, you said she was an active and consenting participant until she suddenly changed her mind.

"When you gave evidence, you said she answered your knock on her door and claimed she was completely naked."

The judge said that Catamo De Oliveira was "arrogant" and "convinced of his own sexual charms".

He added: "The jury concluded you decided to get sexual relief at her expense.

"She was certainly asleep when you went into her bedroom.

"She hadn't given you the slightest indication or any encouragement."

The judge added: "You remained in this country for several months, until you were charged and then fled, returning to Portugal.

"A European arrested warrant was issued and you made it clear you weren't prepared to return to the UK voluntarily.

"The pandemic may have contributed to the delay, but if you'd agreed to return your trial would have happened well before the Covid-19 outbreak.

"Your attempt to evade justice meant your victim has had this dreadful experience unresolved for many years and it's been reawakened when she was just beginning to get on with her life."

James Varley, mitigating before sentence, said: "He's a man with no previous convictions.

"There's little I can say about the facts.

"He was 25 at the time.

"He went out at night and maybe drank too much and ended up in a flat with a bunch of other people - and we know what happened.

"He spent 120 days [in custody] awaiting extradition that should count towards his sentence."

Catamo De Oliveira was jailed for a total of seven years and two months.