Latest Offenders

Description

A Newhaven man who engaged in sexualised online conversation with young girls has been sent to prison.

Andrew Leadbitter, 55, a service engineer, of Hillcrest Road, Newhaven, was given the sentence, totalling two and a quarter years, at Lewes Crown Court on 8 September.

He had admitted two offences of attempted sexual communication with two separate girls, attempting to engage a third girl in sexual activity, three offences of making indecent images of children and one offence of possessing extreme pornographic images.

He will be a registered sex offender for 10 years and was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) to last until further court order, severely restricting his access to children and digital devices.

Detective Constable Gary Baker of the Sussex Police Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT) said: "Leadbitter systematically sought out opportunities for sexual conversation with young girls, and went so far as to arrange a meeting with one of them only to back out at the last moment.

"However this activity came to our notice and he has now been brought to justice. We will continue to pursue such offenders in order to safeguard children."

Description

A PAEDOPHILE carried out sex attacks against a child when she was just four years old and had more than 3,000 indecent images of children. Matthew Churchill sexually assaulted the girl from the age of four and also made (downloaded) indecent images of children at category A - the worst level within the sentencing guidelines. The 32-year-old appeared before Worcester Magistrates Court yesterday (Thursday) where he admitted a string of child sex offences - nine in total. He pleaded guilty to assaulting a girl aged under 13 'on multiple occasions' by touching her between August 7, 2017 and August 7, 2019; making indecent images of children at category A (32 moving and still images) between July 14, 2017 and September 8, 2019 making indecent images at category B (65 moving and still images) between July 23, 2017 and September 8, 2019; making indecent images at category C (229 moving and still images) between April 10, 2017 and September 8, 2019; possessing 3,036 extreme images of a child between May 30, 2015 and September 8, 2019; possessing an extreme pornographic image (269 images) involving sex with dead animals between October 29, 2011 and September 8, 2019; causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity on February 4, 2012; assaulting a girl by touching on the same date; taking an indecent video of a child on the same date. Ralph Robyns-Landricombe, prosecuting, said the girl, who cannot be identified, had made a disclosure to her mother about the defendant's behaviour and he was arrested. "Devices were seized by police on arrest and disturbing images were also found" he said. The prosecutor also said a sexual harm prevention order and deprivation order would undoubtedly follow the conviction. "The Crown would ask that these matters be committed for sentence to the crown court" said Mr Robyns-Landricombe. "These are extremely serious offences" he told the court. He said the sentence for a single charge of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity was between one and four years in custody as laid out in the sentencing guidelines. The case was adjourned until October 14 for a further hearing at Worcester Crown Court. "These offences are so serious that you need greater punishment than we can give" said the chairman of the bench. As a convicted sex offender, Churchill, of Glanford, Hanley Swan, near Worcester, was told he would have to register at his nearest police station as soon as possible and within 72 hours. Bail was granted on condition Churchill remains in residence at his address, that he does not enter an address provided to him by the court, that he does not attend a school (details provided to the defendant by the court) and that he is not to have contact with any child under 18 except in the normal course of daily life. He was also told not to contact, directly or indirectly, any prosecution witnesses.

Description

A doctor who attempted to groom a '13-year-old girl' online has been spared prison after his lawyers blamed his actions on working long hours during the Covid pandemic.

James Peter Farthing, 28, spoke to the 'teenager' on messaging service Kik - under the username 'olderc**k' - as well as on Snapchat.

The junior doctor, who worked for the NHS in Stockport, asked to see photographs of her body and shared an image of penis.

The account was actually being run by an undercover police officer and Farthing was later arrested for attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.

However, today he walked free from Minshull Street Crown Court after being handed a suspended sentence.

Lawyers mitigating for Farthing, said he had been juggling working long hours during the pandemic, his wife's health condition and his training.

They said he had 'emotional struggles', had been watching pornography and smoking cannabis at the time - but that he was working to address his issues.

Her Honour Judge Tina Landale sentenced him to six months in prison, suspended for two years, after he admitted attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.

He was handed concurrent sentences for attempting to involve a child aged 13 or over in non-penetrative sexual activity; and attempting to engage with a child aged 13 to 15 to watch and look at images of a sexual nature.

The court heard Farthing spoke to the 'girl' on Kik - under the username 'olderc**k', Fiona Clancy, prosecuting said. He also spoke to her on Snapchat, in March.

He said he was 23 and from Leeds. The 'girl' was called 'Beth' and was said to have been from Liverpool.

The cop used a picture of kittens to portray how young she was, Ms Clancy said.

Farthing asked 'Beth' if she was into 'older guys' and if she would send him a picture.

'Beth' told him: 'I'm 13, by the way.' Farthing replied: 'Cool. Are you down for role play or sex?'

He asked to see her body and offered to show her his penis. The 'girl' said she was worried about sending a photograph.

Farthing reassured her that if she didn't include her face, it 'should be fine'.

'The fact that the undercover officer was 13 was reiterated, but the sexual conversations continued,' Ms Clancy said, as the conversations moved to Snapchat.

Farthing told 'Beth': 'I have spoken to a few girls that like older men.'

The officer then sent a picture of a young, clothed girl. Farthing sent a photograph of his penis.

'I really want to touch your body and see what you look like naked,' he said.

He then sent another picture of his penis.

Ms Clancy said that when officers arrested Farthing, he said he was 'ashamed' and 'tried to stop', but 'gave in to sexual pleasure', the court heard.

Simon Gurney, defending, said Farthing, who has no previous convictions, was 'deeply ashamed and remorseful for his behaviour'.

His supervisor - a consultant - and training programme director provided statements to the court.

Staff and patients 'all expressed shock' after Farthing was arrested, the court heard, as people thought he had a good 'moral compass'.

Mr Gurney said they 'stand by him' because they acknowledge his remorse.

The lawyer said it was the first time in Farthing's career that he didn't enjoy his work - and that his family was in debt as a result of the pandemic.

Mr Gurney said Farthing 'only has himself to blame for jeopardising' his career.

Judge Landale said the 'girl' made it 'clear that she didn't want to talk about sex'.

Farthing was ordered to take part in the Horizon project; to complete 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days; and to undertake 200 hours of unpaid work.

He was also made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order - to last a decade.

Description

A sex predator who tried to evade justice has been jailed for 11 years.

Colin Ritchie preyed on four children during an 18-year campaign of abuse.

The crimes mainly occurred in Elgin and Fochabers, both in Moray.

The 56-year-old had been due to face the allegations at a high court hearing in March 2020. However, Ritchie failed to show before being eventually held and hauled into the dock.

The first offender was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow on Wednesday.

He was previously found guilty after a trial in Aberdeen of 11 charges including lewd and libidinous behaviour, indecent assault, breaching bail and failing to appear for the earlier court hearing.

Judge Graham Buchanan told Ritchie: You were convicted of serious sexual offences against children.

In the course of the crimes against one boy, it is apparent that you groomed and corrupted him over a substantial period.

This was to the point that he believed the depraved conduct was perfectly normal.

It is inevitable that what you did to him and the other victims resulted in long-lasting consequences and psychologically damaging for them.

Ritchie who appeared via video link from prison repeatedly shook his head as he was sentenced.

The abuse occurred between 1988 and 2006. Ritchie targeted two boys and two girls during that time.

One victim was as young as seven when Ritchie struck.

Bill Adam, defending, said Ritchie continues to maintain his innocence.

Judge Buchanan also placed Ritchie on the sex offenders list indefinitely.

Description

A Bedford man who drove to the KFC car park at Kempston thinking he was meeting an 11-year-old girl for sex was jailed for for four-and-a-half years.

Ryan Massey arrived outside the takeaway in May of this year to find a group of paedophile hunters waiting for him and, after being confronted by them, the police were called and he was arrested.

The 28-year-old had been communicating online with four young girls at the time, who in fact turned out to be "decoys."

They didn't actually exist and their fake details had been posted on Facebook by four groups of online paedophile hunters. But Massey wasn't to know that.

After making contact with the girls, who were aged between 11 and 15, he would quickly turn the online chats to sex, sending them pictures of male and female genitalia and encouraging them to send him intimate photos of themselves.

What Massey didn't realise was the "girls" he knew as "Sammi" "Rosie" "Sky" and "Lilly" were in fact adult members of paedophilic hunter groups pretending to be children in order to catch perverts looking online for youngsters to groom and have sex with.

Massey, of Edward Road in Bedford, Bedfordshire, had gone to the car park on May 26 this year thinking he was meeting the 11-year-old girl, who he knew as "Sammi."

In a message he had sent to Sammi the day before, he had said: "When I see you we can have sex for the first time." After his arrest the police discovered he had been sending similar messages to the three other girls.

He pleaded guilty to a charge of arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence concerning the decoy Sammi.

Massey further pleaded guilty to attempting to cause or incite a child under 13 to engage in penetrative sexual activity involving the same girl and attempted sexual communication with her.

He also admitted six other charges concerning his online contact with the three other girls in May of this year who were also decoys.

He admitted three further charges of attempting to incite or cause a child to engage in penetrative sexual activity and three charges of attempted sexual communication with a child. The court heard he had encouraged the girls to masturbate in messages he sent them.

Sentencing Massey, Judge Lynn Tayton told him that on making contact with the girl he had "immediately engaged in sexualised conversations with them."

She went on: "You invited them to engage in penetrative sexual activity and you sent photos of your private parts and invited them to send you photos of their private parts."

The judge said Massey had then progressed to asking to meet the girls for sex. Judge Tayton said she noted that when the "girls" had complained about what he was asking them to do, he had "pressed" them to continue.

As well as serving the four-and-a-half year jail sentence, Massey was told he would also be the subject of a sexual harm prevention order for an indefinite period, which would monitor and supervise his computer access and his activity online.

His name will also go on the sex offenders' register and he was told he would be barred from ever taking up employment which involved working with children.

The judge also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of a mobile phone found on Massey when he was arrested.

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A south London NHS midwife who downloaded and shared hundreds of pornographic images of children has been spared jail.

Scott Butler, 39, from Lambeth, who worked at Tooting's St George's Hospital, was found to have more than 400 indecent images of male and female children between the ages of four and 13.

Yesterday, at Inner London Crown Court, Butler was sentenced to 12 months in custody suspended for 18 months, having previously pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent photographs of a child and two counts of possessing extreme pornographic images.

The CPS applied for a sexual harm prevention order and the details of this will be set out at a further hearing.

Butler was arrested on December 3, 2020, at St George’s Hospital.

His phone and laptop were seized from his home address and found to contain around 360 indecent moving images of children and 77 still images.

Kate Shilton, from the CPS, said:

“Scott Butler was a registered NHS midwife who came into contact with young children every day in a London hospital.

"But unknown to anyone, he had a large collection of pornographic images of children as young as four years old.

“Butler was caught out after uploading images to a social networking website, which police were able to trace back to him.

"He was arrested while working. The prosecution case included evidence from a forensic analysis of Butler’s devices, which showed the extent of his interest in preadolescent children.

“Crimes against children are abhorrent and the CPS will always seek to bring to justice those who fuel the sexual exploitation of children.”

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A disgraced former boxer has been found guilty of sexually assaulting other amateur athletes throughout the 80s.

David Davidson, 57, carried out attacks on young fighters nearly 40 years ago and was finally brought to justice 24 years after one of his victims first went to police to report the abuse.

Davidson, who now lives in England and runs his own company, and carried out his attacks between 1981 and 1984.

One of his attacks occurred after a boxing fundraiser to raise money for the Doyle family who were victims of a fatal house fire amidst the height of Glasgow’s notorious Ice Cream Wars, the Daily Record reports.

The former fighter denied all wrongdoing at the High Court in Paisley.

A jury heard he attacked his first victim between 1981 and 1983, when Davidson was aged between 17 and 19, at a property in Glasgow’s Ruchill.

He went on to abuse a second victim on a number of occasions in 1984, when the victim was 18, in the Kildrum area of Cumbernauld and different areas of Glasgow.

He said that the man had told police a different version of events in 1997 when he first reported the accused.

Defence advocate Mark Moir asked the jury to acquit Davidson, saying his client claimed the sexual interactions had been consensual.

Moir argued it was “young men of 18, 19, 20 exploring their sexuality – deciding they don’t want to go that way or want to go this way”.

But the jury rejected the claims and convicted Davidson of both indecent assault charges.

Sentencing was adjourned until next month for background reports and for Davidson “to put his affairs in order” due to the prospect of receiving a custodial sentence.

It emerged Davidson was also convicted of a sexual offence in a separate case in 1985.

During the Ice Cream Wars, James Doyle, 53, his sons James, 23, Andrew, 18, Tony, 14, and their sister Christina Halleron, 25, and her 18-month-old son Mark died after a fire ripped through their home in Glasgow’s Ruchazie at about 2am on April 16, 1984.

Thomas “TC” Campbell and Joe Steele were convicted of murder over the blaze but were later cleared.

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A "disgusting" retired driver who arranged to meet a girl he met online and thought was 14 years old was snared by paedophile hunters who set him up, a judge has heard.

Timothy Hobbs, 61, travelled from Taunton in Somerset to Bournemouth, Dorset, expecting to meet the girl who he said he would like to see in a swimsuit.

Hobbs even told the "girl" she would recognise him because he would be wearing a West Ham football shirt.

A court heard that this description made him easy to spot by the paedophile hunters who intercepted him and handed him over to the police.

Judge Anthony Barnett, sitting at Winchester Crown Court, heard how Hobbs had fallen for the hunter's bait in 2019.

Hobbs, who now lives in Torquay, admitted causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and arranging to meet a child, he committed both offences in September 2019.

Prosecuting, Francisca da Costa told the court a man from a paedophile hunter group caught Hobbs when he arranged to meet the girl in Bournemouth, saying he would be in a West Ham shirt.

When he arrived in the shirt, he was easily identifiable to the hunter group.

Ms da Costa said: "On September 4, 2019 the civilian set up an online profile on the app Oasis called Megan, the defendant used the profile Hannahs1234.

"Hobbs made contact saying 'hello, my name is Tim' and continued 'how old are you, can I see your photo please?' The defendant said 'you are so gorgeous' and 'you don't look 14'."

Hobbs asked for the girl's number and began communicating with her on WhatsApp.

The court heard how the defendant said he would like to see her in a swimsuit and on September 21, 2019, arranged to meet her in Bournemouth.

Defence counsel Robin Leach said the defendant lived alone in Torquay without contact with his ex-wife and children.

He said he had worked as a driver for 40 years but had to stop due to physical reasons and was a very solitary man.

Judge Barnett described the behaviour as "disgusting" and sentenced Hobbs to 12 months for arranging to meet a child and eight months for inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

The sentences, which were to be served concurrently, were suspended for two years.

Hobbs was given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, meaning any device he owns capable of accessing the internet must be notified to the authorities and he is not allowed to hide from the authorities.

He was also ordered to carry out 20 rehabilitation requirement days.

Description

Paedophile Simon Hammerton was caught with a bag of booze and condoms as he went to meet an '11-year-old girl'.

The 33-year-old was apprehended by paedophile hunters - adults posing as young girls online - after he attempted to meet what he thought was a child in Greater Manchester in July.

Detectives seized Hammerton's laptop and found he was also chatting to 'girls' from Southampton and Leicestershire - believing both were 12 years old.

He would regularly tell them he wanted to kiss them and one one occasion asked a girl for a picture in her school uniform or underwear.

Hammerton was also in contact with two other girls he believed were 11 and 13.

During both conversations, Hammerton would speak sexually and sent them images and videos of him naked, including one video he sent to the 11-year-old girl of him masturbating and ejaculating.

Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester heard Hammerton's undoing came in July, when he arranged to meet a 'girl' he had been speaking to online.

However when he arrived at Ashton-under-Lyme bus station, he was met by a group of adults and placed under citizen's arrest.

He was then handed over to Greater Manchester Police who discovered his bag contained condoms and alcohol.

It was then his laptop was seized and the full extent of his offending came to light.

Hammerton, of Hyde, has now been jailed for five years and four months and made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

He admitted five counts of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming, attempting to cause a child to watch a sexual act and two counts of attempting to cause a child to engage in penetrative sexual activity.

Detective Constable Sue Masheter from Greater Manchester Police, said: "Child Sexual Exploitation takes place in many forms and in this case Hammerton engaged in online communications with what he believed were very young children, not sparing any thought for the lasting damage his actions could have.

"Unknown to Hammerton, the 'children' he thought he was communicating with were actually adults and thankfully we have now been able to remove a dangerous individual from our community and ensure that he is not able to inflict any further abuse.

"I would like to thank the members of the online safety group, namely STOP for their cooperation throughout this investigation."

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A KFC worker groped a colleague's breasts then claimed she was racist when she reported his sexual assault.

Joseph Puravady followed the woman to a staff room, where he knew she would be alone, in a "predatory" attack.

The married dad later had his own adult daughter send a text apologising to the victim and asking for her forgiveness.

But the 59-year-old, of Clearwater Close, Kensington, then denied any wrongdoing and accused the woman of racism.

Even after being found guilty of sexual assault by a jury, he moaned she was a "bully" who held a "grudge" against him.

Judge Anil Murray today said: "The complainant went upstairs to the staff room and you followed her within a minute.

"You told the jury that was a coincidence and you didn't see her leaving her work station.

"I'm sure it was not a coincidence and that you deliberately followed her upstairs, to where you knew she would be alone.

"Your work station was very near to hers and you must have seen her leaving to go upstairs.

"Once upstairs, you approached her from behind, rubbed her breasts over her clothing and tried to kiss her neck.

"The incident ended because she ran away in distress.

"You later had a message sent saying you were really sorry about what happened and hoped for forgiveness."

The woman outlined in a victim statement at Liverpool Crown Court how the attack impacted on her physical and mental health.

She struggled emotionally, had difficulty sleeping, lost trust in others, suffered from anxiety and went to see her GP for help.

Puravady was assisted by an interpreter in the dock and supported by his wife and daughter sitting in the public gallery.

Brendan Carville, defending, urged the judge to suspend any prison sentence given to Puravady, who was sacked by KFC.

He said: "I wasn't trial counsel but I know a lot about the case. I know there were certain elements that were unattractive from the defendant's point of view - a suggestion the defendant's daughter sent an apologetic text message..."

Judge Murray interjected: "And the defendant in his evidence said this was a false allegation, that was in part racist."

Mr Carville said: "As I say, that's not an attractive part of the case."

The lawyer said Puravady was in "poor health" and on a waiting list for heart surgery.

He said prior to this attack he was a man of "good character" and a "family man".

Mr Carville said: "Following his conviction he was photographed outside court by the local press, of course there's the shame and embarrassment that goes with that, not just to himself but to his immediate family and distant family..."

He said the author of a pre-sentence report believed Puravady could be helped in the community.

Mr Carville said his client was unable to do unpaid work because of his heart condition.

He said: "He's been unemployed - he was released from his employment by KFC and he hasn't worked since. His wife works as a nurse, she is the family breadwinner."

He added that while it was an "unpleasant" and "nasty" attack, it was short lived and it was hoped the victim would recover with time.

Paul Treble, prosecuting, asked for a restraining order on behalf of the victim, which Judge Murray made for four years.

Judge Murray said he saw Puravady, the victim and witnesses give evidence, meaning he was "in a much better position" to assess him, his mitigation and the harm and culpability involved.

The judge said he saw the "serious effect" of Puravady's attack on the victim when she gave evidence.

He said: "She was very distressed when asked to recall your behaviour towards her.

"At trial you suggested to the complainant and to the complainant's witness that they held a grudge against you for reasons connected to your race, and other reasons, and that the allegation had been fabricated. The jury found that not to be the case.

"I do not pass a longer sentence because you ran an unattractive defence, however, it's something that I must take into account when deciding whether you're someone who has a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.

"You blamed your victim and accused her of racism. It's clear that you cannot accept responsibility for your actions."

"The view of the author is you chose instead to totally disregard court orders and to lead a life of lies and deceit."

The judge said there was "some planning" as Puravady followed his victim to where he knew she would be alone.

He added: "It took place at her place of work where she was entitled to be respected and well-treated by her co-workers."

Judge Murray said: "I've read the pre-sentence report, in which you describe the complainant as a bully.

"The author of the pre-sentence report found your version of events to be implausible, as did the jury.

"Your actions are described by the author of the pre-sentence report as predatory.

"You say you're remorseful, but deny that you are guilty so I cannot accept that you're remorseful."

The judge said Puravady had "some strong personal mitigation", but said: "Rehabilitation does not just mean no further offending.

"I find there is not a realistic prospect of rehabilitation in this case. You cannot bring yourself to accept responsibility and blame others."

Judge Murray jailed Puravady for eight months and told him to sign on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.

Description

A former swimming coach has been sentenced to nine years in prison for sexually assaulting three children.

Tom Piggot, 21, from Welshpool, was convicted of a total of 10 offences, all of which he had denied, including two counts of rape, at a trial at Mold Crown Court in July.

The convictions also included possessing indecent videos and and images of children, many of which were in the most serious category.

He claimed his devices had been hacked.

Following his trial, Det Con Steve Williams, from Dyfed Powys Police, said it would not have been possible to secure the conviction without the "strength and bravery" of the victims in coming forward.

He added that some of the images found on his devices were "among the worst" he had ever seen.

Following his sentencing on Monday, Sandra Subacchi of the Crown Prosecution Service said: "Tom Piggott claimed he had not had any sexual contact with his child victims, and that his electronic devices had been hacked. Claims that the jury rejected.

"Rape is a devastating crime which the CPS is committed to tackling, and we were able to do so in this instance by these courageous children speaking up."

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A woman was left suicidal after being raped and sexually abused by a man decades ago, a court has heard.

The victim was in her 50s when she "plucked up the courage" to report the sexual abuse she had been subjected to by Robert Reynolds when she was a child.

Norwich Crown Court heard the offences were committed over almost a decade, between July 1972 and March 1982.

Duncan O'Donnell, prosecuting, said the sexual offending started when the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was just eight.

Reynolds, 80, of Shortthorn Road, Stratton Strawless, appeared in court for sentence on Monday (September 13) having previously been found guilty following a trial earlier this month of four counts of rape, three counts of indecent assault and another of sexual intercourse with a girl under 13.

Before Reynolds was sentenced an impact statement was read out on behalf of the victim who said she had "never been able to tell my story of sexual abuse as a child" but had "thought of suicide" at her lowest point.

She said she had thought sex "was about control" and that she has "never made anything of my life".

The victim said: "It will never be over for me. It will with me until I die".

She said following Reynolds' conviction earlier this month she wanted to "ask that a custodial sentence is given" adding that he has "had his freedom".

Sentencing Reynolds to a total of 14 years, made up of 13 years in prison and an extra year on licence, Judge Alice Robinson said the offences, committed over "a number of years" have had a "serious impact" on the victim.

Ian James, mitigating, said mitigation was rather limited and accepted the seriousness of the offending he had been convicted of and the fact a custodial sentence was "inevitable".

Mr James said the fact he had "stayed out of trouble for the majority of his 80 years should be taken into consideration" as well as his age when sentencing.

He said there was no suggestion that other than the victim in this case that "this sort of behaviour has been repeated with anyone else".

He added: "Its something that has lain dormant literally for decades now."

Reynolds was put on the sex offenders' register for life

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A "high risk sex offender" started a relationship with a mum and befriended her three daughters.

Darren Duncan, 36, was once jailed for sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl in Scotland.

But he has repeatedly breached court orders and is described as continuing to live "a life of lies and deceit".

A court today heard he started dating a mum-of-four in St Helens, who has three girls and a boy, all aged under 16.

Before long he was staying at their home, playing with the children, and even took one girl out shopping "just the two of them".

Duncan is subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO), which bans him from having contact with any female under the age of 16, apart from when it's "inadvertent or unavoidable".

Liverpool Crown Court heard Duncan breached the SOPO by failing to inform his offender manager he was in a relationship with the woman, between May 2019 and February 2020.

Peter Killen, prosecuting, said Duncan also stayed at the family's address, which continued until he was jailed in June 2019 for four unsanctioned trips to Amsterdam.

While in jail, Duncan maintained phone contact with the woman and kept in touch with her children by letter, before returning to their home.

Mr Killen said relatives saw him "playing out in the garden with the children" and he once took one of the girls shopping "just the two of them".

When police searched Duncan's home they found letters including one from one of the girls, who called him her "stepdad".

Mr Killen said this girl talked about how much she was "missing" him and signed off with kisses.

Another one of the girls wrote to Duncan thanking him for Christmas presents including an iPhone and said she couldn't wait to hug him.

The third girl wrote to him when he was in jail, when she referred to not knowing what to write in prison letters, said she was "missing" him, and couldn't wait until he was "home".

However, other family members learned Duncan was a convicted sex offender and told social services.

Mr Killen said the children are no longer living with their mum and are now being cared for by relatives.

When arrested and interviewed, Duncan denied being in a relationship with the mum and said he had never visited her home.

Duncan, of Bridge Street, Nairn, near Inverness, admitted two counts of breaching his SOPO just a week before a trial.

In a basis of plea he admitted staying overnight at her home about 10 times and had met the children though they were not always there, before also claiming he was "hugely sorry".

The pervert, who has 17 past convictions for 29 offences, was previously convicted of "lewd, indecent and libidinous behaviour" in Scotland in November 2012, when he received a three-year probation order.

In June 2014, he was jailed for two and a half years for a penetrative sexual offence with a 15-year-old girl in Scotland.

In 2014, Duncan was convicted of stalking, then in January and April 2018 he was twice convicted of breaching his SOPO in Scotland, when he was "admonished" and later fined 400.

He was jailed for eight months in September 2018 for breaching his SOPO by giving a lift to three teenage girls, then locked up for eight months in June 2019 for breaching his notification requirements by travelling abroad four times without telling police.

Judge Neil Flewitt, QC, said a pre-sentence report caused him "some concern".

Callum Ross, defending Duncan, said: "He understands he finds himself in exceptionally hot water before this court today and he must be sentenced for what he now accepts is totally unacceptable behaviour".

However, he said his client asked for "one final chance to retain his liberty by receiving a suspended prison sentence".

Mr Ross accepted the girls were put at risk, but said "there was no actual harm caused perhaps".

He said "strong personal mitigation" included that Duncan lived with and cared for his elderly mum, who would "no doubt struggle without his help".

The lawyer said Duncan worked as an offshore mechanic on oil rigs in the North Sea, earning 376 a day.

He said his client was on medication for anxiety and depression, brought about by his prison sentence in 2014 and his "feelings of regret and remorse", but Duncan understood "he only has himself to blame".

Mr Ross suggested there was "a prospect of rehabilitation" because Duncan was remorseful and wanted to get help.

However, Judge Flewitt told Duncan: "You clearly ignore court orders."

He said the report contained "deeply concerning observations", including that Duncan continued to contact the mum "even after" he was arrested for these latest breaches.

Judge Flewitt said the author of the report also spoke to the police officer who had supervised Duncan since 2013.

The judge said: "Throughout that time you continued to breach restrictions put in place to protect members of the public and innocent children.

"The view of the author is you chose instead to totally disregard court orders and to lead a life of lies and deceit."

He said the author concluded Duncan couldn't be managed in the community.

Judge Flewitt said: "This was a very serious and persistent breach of the order."

He accepted there was no evidence of actual harm, "but the risk of harm of putting somebody with your record into a household with young female children is obvious and in my judgement very serious".

The judge said: "It seems to me that any remorse you may have now is concern for yourself rather than for other people.

"It seems to me if I were to take any other step than imposing immediate imprisonment, the likelihood is you would ignore the terms of that order and breach it, and the very least I can do is to protect the public by sending you immediately to prison."

Judge Flewitt jailed Duncan for three years and four months.

He asked for the Scottish authorities to be notified, so they can consider extending Duncan's SOPO, which runs until October 2022.

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A dad-of-two arranged to meet a 13-year-old girl at McDonald's so he could take her back to his house for sex.

Gareth Rogers wanted "Lily" to be his "friend with benefits" when his wife was at work and his children were in day care.

The married 41-year-old even told the child he wouldn't need to wear a condom because he'd undergone a vasectomy.

But the paedophile, of Easton Road, New Ferry, was actually talking to an undercover police officer the whole time.

And when he turned up at the McDonald's restaurant in Hunts Cross, the pervert was stopped in his car and arrested.

Liverpool Crown Court heard an officer created the decoy profile on messaging app Kik Messenger on November 15, 2019.

David Watson, prosecuting, said Lily received a message from GDR1980 on January 22, 2020, who said he was 39 and from Wirral.

Rogers said: "Looking to chat, flirt, maybe more, hoping to hear from you soon, Gareth."

They exchanged messages as Rogers went on to say he wanted to swap nude photos, he worked from home for a software company and Lily should delete their chats.

Mr Watson said Rogers asked Lily "if she did anything to herself" - "suggestive the prosecution say of sexual behaviour" - and the officer noted he had already been a member of Kik Messenger for 441 days.

On January 23, Lily reiterated she was 13, but Rogers requested a photo of her, which was declined, then sent a headshot of himself.

Mr Watson told the court: "He said he was looking for someone to help him out of the rut his wife had created."

On January 27, Rogers told Lily because of their ages he had to be "careful" and on January 30 said she had been a "tease".

On February 18 he told her he was "looking for a friend with benefits", before asking what type of sex she was prepared to have, specifying three different types.

The prosecutor said: "He suggested meeting Lily, who told him she was off school. He specified the dates that were best for him as his wife was in work and his children were in day care."

On February 19, Rogers made an arrangement to meet her two days later at McDonald's, between 9.30am and 10am.

Mr Watson said: "The defendant said it if was going to be her first time they could do as little or as much as she wished.

"The defendant told Lily he had a vasectomy and therefore a condom would not be required."

Rogers also reassured Lily he would be "gentle" and requested nude photos, which he said would help prepare her to get over the "hurdle".

On February 20 he asked whether she was a police officer or connected to police, but he went ahead with the meet.

He was arrested in Hunts Cross the following morning, when his phone was seized before he was interviewed.

Mr Watson said: "He claimed he was going to meet Lily to tell her that nothing would happen between them.

"In fact, say the prosecution, the last message he sent suggested she order some food so they could eat it in his car on the way back to his house."

Rogers then confessed he thought Lily was 13, said he was "stupid" and he "didn't know why he hadn't stopped sooner".

Rogers admitted attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming and attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.

He also admitted taking, possessing and distributing one Category C indecent image of a child.

Cheryl Mottram, defending, said her client, who has no previous convictions, was "genuinely remorseful".

She said: "He can offer no real explanation as to why he engaged in the chat that he did during the period of time that he did and he finds it difficult in his own mind to reconcile his behaviour during this period of time with the man he's been up to that point."

Ms Mottram said "fortunately" the girl wasn't real, but his actions had "far reaching consequences, not just for himself".

She said Rogers' wife had suffered "taunts" from people in the community who were aware of what he was in court for.

The lawyer said his partner had been left to struggle on her own with two young children and found it "very emotionally draining" as a single mum, but Rogers "has only himself to blame".

Ms Mottram said her client was no longer working, but as the main "breadwinner", was now borrowing money from his dad to cover their mortgage and bills.

She said Rogers hoped to "put this behind him", "address deficits in his thinking" by undertaking courses in prison and when released from jail, be reunited with his family and his wife, who "remains supportive of him".

Judge Anil Murray said Rogers believed he was talking with a 13-year-old girl when he arranged to meet and told Lily he was "throbbing for her".

He said: "I understand the devastation this must have on your family, but as Ms Mottram says, I'm afraid that is your fault.

"You've left your wife struggling with the children."

However, the judge said he had read a letter from Rogers' wife "to say she has forgiven you" and "otherwise you're a wonderful father".

Jailing him for two years and four months, Judge Murray said Rogers must sign on the Sex Offenders Register and comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years.

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A convicted sex offender who abused a 13-year-old girl after offering her a lift home has been jailed again, just seven years on from his first sentence.

John Brook, 68, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual activity with a child and breaching his sexual harm prevention order at Bradford Crown Court on Friday, September 10.

The court heard how Brook, of Huddersfield Road in Ravensthorpe, had been asked to pick the 13-year-old girl up and drop her off at home on May 2 this year.

 For more news from Bradford Crown Court, click here. 

But Brook instead told the girl that he did not have enough fuel to get her home and suggested she spend the night at his house.

After they arrived, Brook sexually assaulted the child victim.

The girl was able to escape after making an excuse to go to the toilet and ran to a nearby petrol station, where she called the police.

Officers arrested Brook that same night.

The 68-year-old has now been sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison. He will be on the sex offenders' register for life.

It comes just over seven years after Brook was arrested for sexually abusing a teenage girl who 'functioned at the level of an eight or nine year old.'

Brook commited various sex offences against a teenage girl with a low IQ and then sickeningly encouraged his brother Christopher to do the same.

Commenting on the sentence handed to Brook at Bradford Crown Court on Friday (September 10, 2021), Detective Olivia Connor, from West Yorkshire Police, said: "Brook's actions were horrific and calculated. He abused the trust he had built with the victim's family for his own gratification.

"I would like to commend the young victim for speaking out and contacting us as soon as she could. Her bravery has seen this man jailed for his actions, and I’m very pleased with the result.

"Offences of this nature are always taken extremely seriously, and we hope his sentence will provide reassurance to the public that we will do our utmost to bring those committing these horrible crimes to justice, and we will be on hand to support victims every step of the way."