Latest Offenders

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A pervert has been jailed after turning up to meet what he believed was going to be a 15-year-old prostitute for sex.

Joseph Smith responded to an online advertisement which stated there was an 18-year-old woman selling sexual services in his area. When the 37-year-old called the number provided, he was told that the girl selling sex was in fact only 15-years-old. But he still decided to go and meet the teen in an area of Durham. However, what Smith didn't know, was that the advertisement was false, and had been set up by undercover police.

Smith, of Bracken Field Road, Durham, appeared at Durham Crown Court on Thursday, via link from HMP Durham, to be sentenced for attempting to arrange or facilitate a child sexual offence. He pleaded guilty to the charge at a previous hearing.

Alec Burns, prosecuting, said as part of an undercover police operation aiming to catch paedophiles, an advert on a selling website was set up that purported to be an 18-year-old woman selling sexual services whereby contact was to be made via a phone number. He said: "On April 25 the defendant called the number twice. He then sent a text message asking what time she started work."

Mr Burns said that contact was then made over the phone and that Smith called himself "Craig". During the conversation, Smith was told that the girl selling sex, was in fact only 15-years-old. Mr Burns said: "The defendant asked if any girls were over 16 and he was told no." But Smith was undeterred, and arranged to meet the 15-year-old decoy shortly before 11pm in an area of Framwellgate Moor. As soon as he arrived, he was greeted by police officers and arrested.

Mr Burns said that when arrested, Smith was found with 980, which he said was to pay for his Manchester United season ticket. He also told officers that he "wouldn't have done it" and "didn't care about kids". During interview he gave no reply.

The court heard that Smith had 16 previous convictions, including for offences of voyeurism which dated back to 2005. The court was told that one offence related to him looking under the cubicles at a swimming baths, and another involved him looking into windows and watching women undress.

Ian West, defending, asked for full credit for his guilty pleas, which were given at the first opportunity. He added that Smith has learning difficulties and ADHD, saying: "He is a man who has his own problems and limitations. He needs to have a moral compass."

Sentencing Smith, Recorder Jamie Hill QC said it was an "unusual and exceptional case", before jailing him for two years. Smith was made subject of a 10 year sexual harm prevention order and will also be on the sex offender's register for two years.

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A man who raped a woman in a town centre street has been jailed for 18 years.

Mario Sztojka, 26, attacked his victim on Lower Viaduct Street in Huddersfield in the early hours of 26 May, 2021.

He was identified as a suspect days after the attack and a major operation to track him down led to his arrest in December.

Police described him as a "dangerous and predatory sex offender" who "did everything he could to evade justice".

Sztojka, of Meltham Road, Huddersfield, was found guilty of two counts of rape following a trial at Leeds Crown Court.

He was given an 18-year jail sentence and must serve at least 12 years in prison.

Det Ch Insp Marc Bowes, of West Yorkshire Police, said: "He did everything he could to evade justice for the serious sexual assault he inflicted on his victim and was caught following persistent, methodical police work which allowed us to eventually hunt him down.

"Despite strong evidence against him, he chose to put his victim through the ordeal of a trial and this has been reflected in the sentence imposed on him."

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Michael Pick, of Holland Road, Old Whittington, approached both girls in separate incidents while they were with out with their friends.

In April 2021, Pick approached a girl and invited her to his house for a cigarette. The girl waited outside and as she lit the cigarette he had given her, he sexually assaulted her.

She pushed him away but then he grabbed her by her waist and tried to kiss her, but she managed to push him away again and run back to her friends.

They reported what had happened to police and Pick was arrested. He denied the offence during interview and was bailed.

On Saturday 4 June 2022, while on bail, the 21-year-old approached a different teenage girl who was sat with friends at a park just off Albert Avenue in New Whittington.

He commented on the appearance of the girl and her friend, said that he wanted to have sex with them and showed them a knife he had in his bag.

Pick then crawled over to the victim, pushed her to the ground and sexually assaulted her. One of her friends pushed him off. As they were walking away, he approached the victim again and sexually assaulted her for a second time.

The group reported what happened to passing patrol officers, and Pick was seen in the area but ran off from the officer.

He was arrested later the same day at his home address, charged and remanded.

Pick was convicted at Derby Crown Court of two counts of sexual assault of a teenage girl, possession of a knife and inciting an under-age girl to engage in sexual activity.

He was jailed following the hearing on Friday 7 July for 50 months with an extended post-release licence period of 24 months.

Pick was handed five-year restraining orders in respect of both victims and is also subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

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A child rapist who thought he was untouchable has been branded an "arrogant predator" as he was jailed for 18 years.

James McEwen ruined the lives of two young girls by abusing them in separate attacks. Years later, they each plucked up the courage to report what he had done to them.

McEwen, 60, of Henley Gardens, Wallsend, continues to protest his innocence but a jury found him guilty of one count of rape, four counts of indecent assault and indecency with a child and he has now been locked up. He was also given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and must sign the sex offenders register and he also got a restraining order.

One of the victims, now an adult, said in a victim impact statement: "I've been robbed of my innocence and the pleasure of my first kiss and first romance. Just because he has been found guilty this doesn't provide any closure, the trauma continues to be with me.

"I have trust issues and for the most part I don't trust anyone I meet and I have a fear of being left alone with other people, especially men."

The other victim said what should have been the happiest moments of her life were "covered in a black cloud" because of McEwen's "selfish actions". She said: "I felt alone and misunderstood and trapped by silence." The woman added that she "will never forgive" McEwen for taking her innocence.

Judge Robert Spragg, at Newcastle Crown Court, told him: "You acted as an entitled, arrogant sexual predator, preying on these two girls. "Your arrogance was such you clearly felt untouchable. It's had an awful effect on them."

Sue Hirst, defending, said: "He continues to deny the offences. These offences go back 20 years now. He has worked his entire life. Probation say he is a low risk of general offending and a low risk of further sexual offending."

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A 70-year-old Wrexham man is starting a six-year jail term after he admitted a series of child sex offences. William Carter, of Ffordd Estyn in Wrexham, appeared at Mold Crown Court on Wednesday for sentencing. He had previously admitted eight counts of sexually touching a child. Henry Hills, defending, said: He understands his behaviour has caused significant harm to the victim. Judge Rhys Rowlands said hed behaved repeatedly in an appalling and totally perverted way. He told Carter he had little insight into the harm hed caused. The abuse had a profound effect. A sexual harm prevention order was made and he must register as a sex offender.

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A sex offender who has been wanted by Police for almost 2 years has finally been arrested after he was found living on a boat on the Isle of Wight. James Ernest Williams also known as Alan John Appleton has been one of Devon & Cornwall Polices most wanted criminals since October 2020, with an appeal issued to locate the now 55-year-old for breaching the conditions of his release from prison. He failed to appear at Newton Abbott Magistrates Court on 9th December 2020. It was last Tuesday night that Police arrived at Folly Lane in Whippingham and arrested Williams, taking him into custody at Newport Police Station for questioning. Its unknown how he was located but it is known his appearance had changed, putting on weight and growing his hair and beard. It has been confirmed that the 55-year-old, who originally comes from Manchester, was charged with 2 counts of failing to comply with sex offender notification requirements and was remanded in custody to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates Court on 30th June. At last Thursdays hearing, the case was sent up to the Crown Court where Williams will now appear on 5th August. He has been remanded in custody until that time. Williams or Appleton as he is more commonly known comes from the South Devon area with links to Torbay and Dartmouth. It was thought he was in the Paignton area for a time, then possibly Portsmouth or Reading. His last known address was Clarence Street, Dartmouth.

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Ethan Johnson also sent messages asking to meet for sex to an underage girl from Newcastle.

A Stockton man who was part of an online paedophile ring which shared horrific images and videos of children being sexually abused, was supported in court by his parents, before leaving with a suspended sentence.

Ethan Johnson, 20, was found to have a "mega account" with the online sharing group. His username was "project infinity" and he stored videos of naked children on a cloud account.

Teesside Crown Court has heard that the online group saw members make specific requests for footage of babies being sexually abused. Moderators threatened members with expulsion from the group, if they did not share illegal content. 

On Monday, prosecutor Richard Bennett said that police had acted after online surveillance had tracked down members of the group. Officers arrived at Johnson's home on June 26, 2020, and seized "a large number of devices."

Johnson was found to be in possession of 223 videos of children being abused - all of which were category A - the most serious level of abuse. He was also found with 107 category B images and 29 Category C images.

Mr Bennet told the court that police analysis of Johnson's mobile phone found that he had been messaging a 14-year old girl from Newcastle, on Snapchat, back in 2019. When the girl messaged that she did not send nude photos, Johnson offered to give her "some sexual healing."

After challenging him about his messages, and complaining that they were all about sex and meeting her, the girl cut him off. But police then found that Johnson had later texted the girl in 2020: "If we do end up having sex we will have to keep it quiet as I could end up getting arrested and on the sex offenders register."

Officers traced the girl and she said she had sent pictures of herself engaged in sex acts to Johnson.

Johnson, of Imperial Crescent in Stockton, pleaded guilty to two counts of inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity. The court heard that he has no previous convictions.

Victoria Lamballe, defending, said that her client's parents were sitting in the public gallery and that, "This is a young man who comes from a very supportive family. He is utterly ashamed at the position he has put himself in and for the position he's put his parents in."

Ms Lamballe said that Johnson's offending started when he was 18 and his relationship had failed. He had tried to find a new girlfriend, but failed, and had started trying to meet girls online.

Ms Lamballe told the court that Johnson accepts that he was looking for girls younger than him, but not underage girls: "He had genuine hopes for a relationship with this girl, who was 15 for the majority of the contact." The court heard that Johnson has now found work as an auto technician and is in a new relationship - and that his girlfriend's parents are aware of the charges against him.

Judge Paul Watson told Johnson: "This is not a victimless crime. There are real children often from financially and emotionally deprived backgrounds - they are subjected to unimaginable pain and abuse - so that you, and people like you, can access these images.

"The police also uncovered a conversation between you and a 14-year-old girl that was of a grossly sexual nature. But I've read some powerful testimonies about you and of course, the very moving letter from your parents - describing the other side to you, pointing out the sensitive side to your nature."

The judge handed Johnson a 13-month prison term, suspended for 18-months. He was ordered to attend 25 rehabilitation days and made subject to a five-year sexual harm prevention order, with police notification requirements for the next 10 years.

The judge added: "Probation will work around your full time job. If you start downloading images of children, or chatting to underage girls, you will start that 13 months prison sentence. Is that clear?".

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Maxwell Shelbourne approached the woman in the early hours A young man who sexually assaulted and tried to rape a woman as she was walking home in Langley Mill has been jailed. Maxwell Shelbourne, approached the woman in the early hours of Sunday, January 16 as she was walking along Cromford Road. He stopped her and asked for a cigarette, then tried to hug and kiss her and despite her saying no, insisted he walked her home. He then tried to kiss her again, and despite the victim struggling, he sexually assaulted and tried to rape her. A court heard they continued to struggle, and the woman managed to run home. She reported what happened to her the following day and Shelbourne was identified following a public appeal. The 22-year-old was charged and remanded into custody after appearing at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court on in January. A trial took place at Derby Crown Court, and Shelbourne was jailed for five and a half years following sentencing on Friday, June 24. Shelbourne, formerly of Alfreton Road, Underwood, Nottinghamshire, will also be on the sex offender register for life. He is also the subject of an indefinite restraining order to prevent him from contacting the victim. Police praise victim's courage Detective Constable Danielle Lynch of Derbyshire Police's Public Protection Unit was the officer in charge of the case. She said: Firstly Id like to thank the strength of the victim showed in coming forward and reporting this horrendous crime against her. "She has shown incredible courage throughout the investigation and court process. We would also like to thank members of the public who supported this investigation by coming forward as part of our appeal as they really helped us to bring this man to justice. DC Lynch added: I hope this case will give others who have survived sexual offences the confidence to report incidents like these, knowing that we will listen and investigate professionally and sensitively. We are working with partners to ensure we are making Derbyshire a safe place for everyone and have specially trained officers who, alongside organisations including Derbyshire based SV2, support victims of sexual violence, and can provide advice and ongoing support.

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A Surrey sex attacker has been jailed for targeting children over a nine-year period. Stuart Menzies was found guilty of sexually abusing three children in Woking. The 58-year-old was charged with eight counts of non-recent sexual abuse against the children following an investigation from Surrey Police.

The probe into his behaviour began after the offending came to light in 2018. During a trial at Guildford Crown Court, Menzies' victims talked about the impact his crimes had on their lives. One victim said: Its been a long battle to overcome this and for the longest time I couldnt envision any future for myself, because I didnt think I would live past my twenties.

Its only within the last few years where my mental health has gotten better that Ive decided to do something with my life. If I hadnt experienced any of the things hed put me through I believe my life would have been much different.

Another victim added: "I am unable to build relationships, I treat new introductions with great caution, giving the impression I am closed and distant, so it appears I dont care, when really I feel lonely and without real friendship or support. My past has prevented me from gaining the contact with others. I have been conditioned to keep my emotions and thoughts to myself.

Even though there may be a small ray of light on the horizon to some future point, its still hard and difficult to see through the dark clouds of my childhood.

Menzies, of Walton Road in Woking, has now been brought to justice. He will serve 23 years behind bars.

Detective Constable Sharron Goodchild, of Surrey Police, said: Todays result is testament to the courage of the three victims who have shown formidable strength throughout this investigation.

Menzies selfish and abhorrent actions have had devastating consequences, but I hope that his imprisonment is a message to all perpetrators of child sexual abuse that we will do everything we can to hold you to account.

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A 'depraved' paedophile who sexually assaulted a child and was found with more than 20,000 indecent images on computer devices has been jailed. Ian Worthington, 51, from Staffordshire, was brought down after an interventional investigation was launched by authorities to uncover "cross-border activity", Stafford Crown Court heard.

Worthington uploaded child sexual abuse material onto the dark web, where he also spoke with other paedophiles. Crown prosecutor, Maria Brannan, said an IP address was discovered before British police attended the defendant's address.

His house was searched and officers seized a number of devices, including a phone and laptop, which were forensically examined, said the National Crime Agency (NCA). An iMac computer was found containing thousands of indecent images of children, said Ms Brannan.

Of the images found on the iMac, there were 425 of the most severe type, Category A, followed by 691 Category B images and 4,895 Category C images. Worthington admitted to using a piece of software called TOR, also known as The Onion Router, which allows people to communicate online anonymously.

Police later found two hard drives owned by Worthington which contained thousands of more indecent images of children, the court was told. Investigators traced some images, made by Worthington, to a device belonging to an Australian sex offender, who was jailed for 22 years in 2015, said the NCA.

The NCA said Worthington used a number of dark web hidden service forums in an effort to ensure his activity remained anonymous. Meanwhile, investigators recovered 20,500 indecent images, from Category A to C, from his devices.

The National Crime Agency said among these, were 135 Category B and 140 Category C images showing a child being sexually assaulted by Worthington. There was also evidence which suggested they had been distributed to other paedophiles online.

Sentencing Worthington, Her Honour Judge K Montgomery QC said: "These offences came to light through an international investigation, determined to uncover cross-border paedophilic activity." She said some images found in Worthington's possession were of the most "depraved and disturbing", involving the sexual assault of children.

The judge said chat logs showed Worthington had an "active involvement in a network of paedophiles." Defending Worthington, Mark Nicholls said his client described his behaviour "as an addiction".

In total, Worthington was caged for six years and eight months - extended by two years on license. He was also ordered to be put on the sex offender register indefinitely and given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

NCA operations manager Hazel Stewart added: "Online abuse material cannot exist without the real-world exploitation of children. As this case shows, there is a clear link between offenders seeking out such material and committing sexual abuse themselves.

"We have wide-ranging capabilities to identify the most dangerous offenders who use the dark web in an attempt to remain anonymous. We will stop at nothing to ensure they face justice, and to protect children from exploitation."

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A former Metropolitan Police officer has avoided jail after admitting to sending sexual messages to a 15-year-old boy. PC Will Scott-Barrett, 33, was handed a nine-month jail sentence, suspended for 12 months, at Isleworth Crown Court.

The court previously heard that he pleaded guilty to a charge of sexual communication with a child on or before February 3 last year. An earlier hearing was told he was in contact with the youngster using the Snapchat and Discord social media apps from April 2020.

Scott-Barrett, of Bromley, South East London, sent messages including graphic sexual pictures and videos to the boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons. The officer was off-duty at the time of his offending, which is not said to have been connected with his role in the force. He has since resigned from his post.

A spokeswoman from the Metropolitan Police said a misconduct hearing found that if Scott-Barrett had not resigned he would have been dismissed. During sentencing, Judge Robin Johnson said: “This is undoubtedly a sad case. Sad for you, in that you lost your job and your good character, but also sad, troubling and worrying for the family (of the victim).

My sympathies are with the victim and his family rather than you. This kind of offending harms children, that is self-evident. The harm done to the victim is incalculable. You were previously of good character, you were a serving police officer at the time. I have accepted that you expressed genuine remorse and are taking steps to assess your offending.”

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A pervert claimed he accidentally ended up with child abuse images on his computer while downloading a Marvel film.

Police found dozens of indecent pictures and videos on Christopher Dyne's devices when they searched his home. But he claimed they got there by mistake while downloading the movie Thor. A jury rejected his account and found him guilty of making indecent images.

The software worker, who lost his job the day after being found guilty, has suffered in his local community after being named and shamed, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Police went to his home on Sedgemoor, Garth 16, Killingworth, North Tyneside, on the morning of August 3 2018 with a search warrant and seized various devices. Three hard drives contained indecent images of children and there was evidence he had searched for terms associated with those looking for child abuse material.

In total there were 85 of the most serious, category A images, 16 category B and seven category C. Elizabeth Muir, prosecuting, said: "He claimed any images must have appeared accidentally during the download of a film, Thor. He said he had accessed them and said he deleted them. He said he considered contacting police but didn't.

"The defendant's computer material had a number of films downloaded on them but in distinct files which would not be the case if he accidentally downloaded them with a film. There was no evidence of the film Thor having been downloaded at any time.

"He maintained that explanation at trial but it was rejected by the jury." Dyne also said he had cloned hard drives, which is why the images were on more than one but he couldn't explain why one of them had additional material on it.

The 40-year-old, who has no previous convictions, was found guilty of eight offences of making indecent images of children. He was sentenced to 18 months suspended for 18 months with 140 hours unpaid work. He must also sign the sex offenders register and be subject to a sexual harm prevention order for ten years.

Tony Cornberg, defending, said: "A dozen or more people have submitted testimonials about what he is really like. He has always been a man of good character and in employment.

"The pre sentence report says he is still considered suitable for rehabilitative intervention despite him maintaining his innocence and there are no concerns from social services.

"Since his conviction he lost his job the next day and he has become, in his words, a financial burden on his mother and someone who feels worthless. The police displayed his conviction on their Facebook page shortly afterwards and it's caused him a great deal of shame. Being named and shamed is a form of punishment in society.

"He is utterly terrified and has genuinely suffered during the period since his conviction."

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A SEX offender released early from prison for good behaviour is back behind bars after breaching the terms of his parole. The precise reason for 60-year-old former Taunton DJ Christopher Reynolds's recall to prison has not been revealed. But he may now have to complete his six-year sentence imposed in April 2019 at Taunton Crown Court. He could only be released before his licence ends in March 2025 if agreed by the Parole Board. Reynolds, who committed the offences after grooming two girls aged 12 and 14 around 30 years ago, only admitted his guilt after putting them through the trauma of two trials. One of his victims this week told the County Gazette: "A leopard doesn't change its spots. "It's unknown why he's back in prison. It's possible he might have to complete the rest of his sentence in jail." Reynolds, who worked in clubs and on Apple FM radio and the former Taunton TV and was also known as Chris Young, was found guilty of seven indecent assaults and received three six-year terms in jail, three three-year stretches and one 12-month sentence, all concurrent. He must sign the Sex Offenders' Register for life and has a 20-year restraining order banning him from contacting his victims. During his trial, the 14-year-old victim said he "manipulated my mind and made me feel special and wanted". But her "dirty secret" made her feel "worthless". "I felt ashamed and disgusted," she said and since Reynolds' crimes have come to light she has cried every day. "The demons have come out but never left me," she said. His other victim met Reynolds at "a low point in my life" and viewed him as her "saviour" who "felt like my only friend, a father figure". She said: "I looked forward to him texting me and meeting up with me, but he was just grooming me for his own gains." She had recently established contact with her father, who had hardly previously figured in her life and was dying of cancer at the time. She added: "He robbed my teenage years and took away my only chance to have a short relationship with my dad." Reynolds' behaviour led to her self-harming, taking drugs and alcohol and considering suicide. The judge told Reynolds, who was married with children: "You no doubt regarded yourself as something of a local celebrity." The judge added: "You have an unhealthy interest in young girls."

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An investigation into a registered sex offender who repeatedly approached young girls online via social media has resulted in a man being put behind bars for four years and eight months.

Albert Jones, 55, of High Road in Byfleet, was found guilty of attempt to cause or incite a female under 16 to engage in sexual activity. He was sentenced at Guildford Crown Court on Thursday (30 June).

During the course of the investigation, it was discovered that, using a fake profile posing as a 17-year-old, Jones would contact 13-year-old girls via social media sites encouraging them to chat in a sexual nature. After a brief engagement, he would then close the account and then re-engage with the child using a different profile username.

Jones was arrested at his home address on 7 April. Most of the offences took place between August 2021 and January this year.

Investigating Officer Estelle Sharp, who led on the investigation, said: This was a complex case that involved both us and officers from the Metropolitan Police.

I hope that this case demonstrates that we will catch prolific sex offenders who target children online and will do everything we can to investigate reports, support victims and pursue perpetrators.

If you are thinking of reporting sexual abuse, please be reassured that your report will be taken incredibly seriously, and that we have specialist support in place to help you.