Latest Offenders

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A paedophile nurse who downloaded baby rape images was spared jail after a court heard he had "lost everything".

Married dad-of-four Christopher Ewan, 45, used to work at the A&E department at Aintree hospital in Fazakerley.

During lockdown he downloaded more than 100 child rape files, plus extreme porn images showing bestiality.

Liverpool Crown Court today heard that after his sick crimes came to light, his family's home in Netherton was targeted by vigilantes, forcing his innocent wife and children to flee.

Ewan's lawyer explained how "in every sense the defendant has suffered significantly - but it's all down to him".

Police were informed of "suspicious activity" relating to a Sky broadband account and messaging app Kik Messenger last summer.

Officers raided Ewan's former home in Musker Drive, Netherton on June 26, 2020 and seized his Samsung mobile phone.

When he was interviewed by the police, Ewan denied any knowledge of any indecent material.

But the device was found to contain 137 Category A files - the most serious category involving child rape - consisting of 127 photos and 10 videos.

There were 217 Category B images, 130 Category C files, one prohibited "cartoon" image and 21 extreme porn images, downloaded between March 3 and June 23 last year.

Christopher Hopkins, prosecuting, said: "A lot of them were thumbnail images but they did find evidence of saving these images on the device. There was a secure folder, which had suspicious activity on it."

He said it was to be "noted" that one Category A image showed a female baby aged six to 12 months and one Category A video, around 24 minutes long, featured children aged eight, seven and four.

Mr Hopkins added: "So of their type, they are particularly serious images in the Crown's submission."

Ewan admitted three counts of downloading and one count of possessing indecent images of children, plus possessing a prohibited image of a child and extreme porn.

In a pre-sentence report, Ewan claimed he didn't intentionally download the images or do it for sexual gratification, but he has since confessed that isn't true.

Desmond Lennon, defending, said: "He unreservedly accepts deliberately downloading this material. He also accepts at the time there was a sexual interest in children and the notes indicate, being pressed, accepts it remains."

Mr Lennon said Ewan was married for 19 years with four children, but developed an interest in adult porn, which the dad described as "thrill seeking".

He said his client had been off work due to "stress" and his interest in adult porn progressed to viewing child sex abuse images.

Mr Lennon said if Ewan was spared jail, he could receive "the assistance he perhaps now belatedly recognises that he needs".

The lawyer said: "He understands how it's not only affected him, but people who are very important to him, his wife and children.

"His wife has left him, the marriage is over and his four children have been taken away from him."

Mr Lennon said when Ewan's crimes first became public knowledge, it had a "catastrophic effect" on the family, who then lived in Netherton.

He said: "The home was vandalised, bricks were thrown through the window, paint was thrown at the front door and people congregated outside, behaving in an intimidating way. The effect on his children in particular has been devastating."

Mr Lennon said his children had now moved, Ewan hadn't seen them since July and he only spoke to them "intermittently".

A letter from The Walton Centre said Ewan had muscular degenerative issues and was currently deemed incapable of working by the Department for Work and Pensions.

Mr Lennon said Ewan was an engineer before retraining as a nurse at the age of 30 and had worked in A&E "conscientiously" since 2010.

He said: "His fall in terms of his professional life he described to me this morning as catastrophic. His nursing career is over."

The barrister said Ewan wouldn't be allowed to practise as a nurse again and would "inevitably" be struck off.

He said: "It's all down to him. He has lost everything in real terms."

Mr Lennon suggested his client, who felt "shame, regret and disgust", could be rehabilitated in the community.

Judge Anil Murray told Ewan: "You were of previous good character. More than that, more than just having no previous convictions, you were of positive good character and worked as a professional person.

"By this offending you have thrown all that away."

He added: "Your offending has had a terrible effect on your family."

The judge said sentencing guidelines indicated a starting point of 12 months in prison, but he had to increase this because of the "particularly serious" Category A images, before giving Ewan a discount of one third off his sentence, for his early guilty pleas.

Judge Murray said by law he had to consider guidelines on whether this sentence should be served immediately, and because Ewan had no history of poor compliance with court orders, was thought to have a realistic prospect of rehabilitation, and jailing him would have "some significant impact" on his family, he was "able, but only just, to suspend the sentence in this case".

He handed Ewan 10 months in prison, suspended for two years, with a 40-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement.

The judge said he wouldn't make a "punitive element" to the order as Ewan wasn't suitable for unpaid work, adding: "There is no point in ordering a curfew when your interest is sitting inside looking at a computer."

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

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A 74-year-old man from Netley Abbey was found guilty of non-recent sexual offences against children by a jury at Winchester Crown Court on Monday 26 July.

Alan Kenneth Jerrim of Wykeham Road, Netley Abbey was found guilty of four counts of indecent assault of a girl under 13 and one count of assault by penetration of a girl under 13.

Jerrim committed his crimes against two different children between 1981 and 1983 in Hamble.

He will be sentenced at Winchester Crown Court on Monday 2 September.

Police Constable Nicole Houghton, the Officer in Case, from Hampshire Constabulary's Amberstone Unit said "We would like to commend the women who have shown incredible bravery and courage in coming forward. These are extremely difficult times for these women and it would not have been easy, both emotionally and physically, for either of them to have to re-live their ordeals from when they were younger.

"We know how hard it is to come forward and report these offences, but it is vital to bring those responsible for these offences to justice.

"We are committed to getting justice for victims and have specially trained officers to support them through the process.

"We would encourage anyone who has been a victim of child sexual abuse to contact police on 101 where you can speak with our specialist detectives in confidence."

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A Gateshead paedophile downloaded and distributed vile images and videos of children as young as one.

Pervert Cameron Sammakieh amassed a sickening collection of more than 1,600 photos and movies and shared some of them with others over the internet.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that the 24-year-old's disgusting stash was discovered when police searched his home in Whickham and seized three electronic devices.

As well as the images and videos, it was also found that Sammakieh had used depraved search terms in order to find them.

In interview, Sammakieh claimed he didn't have a sexual interest in children but knew there was a demand for child abuse photos and wanted to please others by sourcing and sending them.

However, he did later admit he was sexually attracted to teenage girls.

Now, Sammakieh, of Cornmoor Road, in Whickham, has avoided an immediate stint behind bars after he pleaded guilty to one count of distributing indecent images of children and three of making them. 
Prosecutor, Neil Pallister, said Sammakieh started downloading the vile material in November 2017 and stopped in October 2019 - a year before his house was searched.

Mr Pallister continued:

"The defendant was present and a number of devices were seized from a bedroom and later examined and found to contain indecent images.

"One of those was the defendant's iPhone. Also seized was a gaming system and an 8GB USB stick."

The court heard that, during interview, Sammakieh admitted he downloaded the material but denied he had a sexual interest in children.

Instead, he claimed he wanted to please others so had shared them over the internet.

Mr Pallister added: "When asked why he shared them, he said it was a desire to be liked."

The court was told that in total, 200 images and 57 videos of category A, 171 category and 13 videos of category B and 1,216 images and 15 videos of category C were found.

Some of the photos of movies involved penetrative sexual activity with very young children and showed the youngsters "clearly in distress".

Paul Cross, defending, said Sammakieh had no past convictions, had pleaded guilty and was a lonely individual with a desire to be liked.

He added:

"He's had a very difficult early life - he was bullied at school. He was very tall and well-built. He was bullied for being big.

"He's actually a gentle giant."

But Recorder Margia Mostafa disagreed, saying: "A gentle giant is inconsistent with what he likes to view, basically children being abused."

Giving Sammakieh a 24-month prison sentence, suspended for 24 months, Miss Recorder Mostafa added:

"These images are extremely serious."In order to feed your addiction, some child somewhere has been abused and that is something you must, at the time when you downloaded these images, have known."

Sammakieh was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders' Register for 10 years and was made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for the same period.

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A sexual predator who raped his sleeping victim has been jailed.

Joshua Robson raped his victim in October 2018 while she slept and when she woke up in pain he pretended to be asleep.

But the 20 year-old victim bravely reported the incident to police straight away and an investigation was launched by Northumbria Police's Safeguarding unit.

Robson, 23, was arrested and denied the allegation but a jury at Newcastle Crown Court saw through his lies and was found guilty of one count of rape on Friday, July 31.

On Friday, August 27, he was sentenced to five and a half years at Teesside Crown Court.

Detective Constable Catherine Burns, who led the investigation, praised the bravery of the victim and hopes it will give other victims the courage to report.

Det Con Burns said: "I really commend the bravery of the victim as she has been so strong throughout this investigation.

"Robson took advantage of a situation for his own sexual gratification and has shown no remorse for what he has done. Now he faces the consequences of his actions.

"I hope this sends a strong message that any sexual contact that is not consensual is a crime. No one should be subjected to something they do not consent to and if you have been a victim of such an attack, I would urge you to come forward to police.

"I know this conviction will give the victim a sense of justice and hope she can begin to heal after suffering significantly as a result of this attack."

Robson of Esher Place, Cramlington will now also have to sign the sex offenders' register for life.

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Martin Edward Manns sent naked photos of himself to a girl while she was on her school break.

The 59-year-old of Twyford Road, Eastleigh, was in fact speaking to a decoy profile set up by a group of paedophile hunters.

However, at the time he had been under investigation for another child sex offence.

Prosecution barrister, John Upton, told how earlier this year, Manns had set up an online profile with the name 'Up for it'.

He then sent messages to a 13-year-old girl called Mabel H via the website Chatiw.

But again, Manns was actually speaking to a fake profile - on that occasion controlled by a police officer.

He had even arranged to meet the fictional teenager at the Lidl store in Coles Close, Eastleigh.

Manns was seen in the car park using his phone and then followed back to his house by officers.

Appearing before Southampton Crown Court, he was charged with intentionally attempting to communicate with a child under the age of 16 for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification and attempting to meet a girl under the age of 16 with the intention of sexual activity.

He pleaded guilty to the offences which happened between September last year and June this year

Defending, Gaylene Coles said that her client was "extremely remorseful and ashamed for his behaviour".

She added that Manns felt "very unable to verbalise his thoughts and actions and why these matters came about".

However, she said he had been impacted by the loss of his mother, mother-in-law and what his daughter had experienced in childbirth.

Judge Christopher Parker QC said that Manns posed a significant risk of serious harm to young girls.

Furthermore, he decided that he represented a risk to the public.

He was jailed for five years and will be subject to a two-year licence upon his release.

Manns will have to register as a sex offender indefinitely and will be the subject of a sexual harm prevention order until further order.

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A “devious and manipulative” sex offender who abused a young girl has been jailed.

Peter Hammond, now aged 62, was exposed when the girl found the courage to tell her parents what he had done to her over a number of years.

Hammond later admitted to police that he had had sexualised contact with the girl when she was four or five years old but claimed it was being “blown out of proportion.”

After a trial at Nottingham Crown Court Hammond was last month convicted of two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13 and one count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

The offences happened between 2013 and 2017

Appearing for sentence today (Friday) Hammond, of Lady Bay Road, West Bridgford, was jailed for five years and eight months.

He was also added to the sex offenders’ register for a period of ten years.

Detective Constable Marie Platt, of Nottinghamshire Police’s public protection team, said:

“This was a harrowing and deeply unpleasant case that exposed Hammond as a devious and manipulative sexual predator. His actions have had a very profound impact on his victim and her family and my thoughts are with each of them today as the legal process comes to an end.

“It is regrettable that Hammond forced them to sit through a very upsetting trial, but I am delighted he has now been held to account by a jury. Thanks to the bravery and dignity of his victim the court was presented with extremely powerful evidence that ultimately led to his conviction.

"As this case demonstrates it really doesn’t matter how long ago sexual abuse happened. What matters is that it happened at all.

“So if people come forward to us with historical allegations of this nature we will listen to them, we will investigate their complaints and we will do whatever it takes to get justice for them.”

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Ashley Corbin used £295 in Amazon vouchers and £40 via PayPal to buy footage of girls who had been blackmailed.

The 35-year-old who has recently changed his name by deed poll to Kevin Smith, has been sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court to 16 months in jail suspended for two years.

He was also given a 10-year sexual harm prevention order after admitting three counts of making indecent images of children.

Officers raided his home in West Downs Close, Fareham in June 2019.

They seized his computers and found 130 images and videos, as well as 4,534 images and videos on cloud accounts.

In total Corbin had 329 Category A images - the most serious - 604 Category B and 4,990 Category C.

Many of the children had been forced to state their names and age on camera, according to the National Crime Agency.

Andy Peach, NCA senior investigating officer, said: "This was one of a series of investigations into paedophiles who bought Abul Elahi's horrific content and encouraged him to keep offending.

"Anyone who buys or accesses material like this is fundamentally responsible for more and more children being sexually abused and the lives that are wrecked because of it.

"For the NCA there is no greater priority than protecting children. We will never stop hunting men like Corbin and Elahi."

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A SICK paedo filmed herself sexually abusing a two-year-old girl and sent indecent images to another predator who promised her £5,000.

Vile Abigail Kikke, 27, was also caught with 69 indecent snaps on her phone after cops raided her mum's house in Cumbernauld.

Kikke claimed the coronavirus pandemic left her “in a dark place” as she pled guilty to sexually assaulting the girl and distributing images of her and other children today.

She also admitted taking or permitting to be taken indecent images of children and possession of indecent photographs between March 18 and March 26 2020.

Cops found a video of her with the toddler lasting 1 minute and 58 seconds, and another lasting five minutes after searching the house while the baby was asleep in a cot.

Kikke had indecent images of other children ranging between three-years-old and 14-years-old.

Prosecutor Shanti Maguire told the court: “One of the images had been sent by the accused to an internet user known as 'Daddy'.”

Kikke was meant to be looking after the toddler when she sent the sick clips via app Kik.

The court also heard that she had chatted to another internet user called  'Hollow' who asked her to perform sex acts on the girl.

Miss Maguire added: “She told 'Hollow' that she sent 'Daddy' images of her and the girl and that he was willing to pay her £4,000.

“Between March 22 and 23 she corresponded with a user she addressed as 'Daddy' at his request.”

Kikke told him she was in debt and self-isolating – struggling with having no contact with people other than over the phone.

Miss Maguire said: “He claimed he would send her £1,000 and in subsequent messages he claimed to be a successful stock trader who would take the woman and girl abroad on holiday.”

Kikke followed up by sending pictures of the girl in a nappy and further indecent image.

The hearing was told Kikke communicated with an internet user named 'gs1177 Mike D'.

The pair chatted about children before Kikke was told the user was “sexually aroused.”

Kikke sent images of the girl to him while she received an image of a male and female children.

Miss Maguire added: “The user has been identified as 43-year-old man Gary Smith, who lived in Wigan.

“He has since been convicted at Bolton Crown Court of sexual offences including ones arising from his conversation with Kikke.

“He was sentenced to six months for distribution of images and attempting to arrange or facilitate the commission of a child sex offence which he received 32 months imprisonment.”

Ronnie Renucci QC, defending, told the court Kikke appreciates that a custodial sentence is “inevitable.”

He added: “These offences took place at a black point in her life.”

Sentence was deferred until October pending background reports by judge Lord Sandison.

Kikke, now of Alloa, Clackmannanshire, showed no emotion as she was remanded in custody meantime.

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Following a Thames Valley Police investigation, a man was sentenced on Tuesday (24/8) to 16 years' imprisonment after being convicted of sexual offences against a child while he was a teacher at Reading Blue Coat School.

John Stanley Imeson, also known as Jack, aged 73, of Fitzroy Crescent in Woodley, Wokingham, was convicted by a jury at Reading Crown Court on 25 May this year. It followed a seven day trial.

He was convicted of seven counts of indecent assault on a male person, four counts of buggery, and a count each of indecency with a child and assault with intent to commit buggery.

Imeson was also made subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

The offences took place in 1980 and 1981 involving two victims, both boys aged from 11-13 at the time. The incidents happened on school trips to Reading, London, Ross-on-Wye, and also at Imeson's residence.

Imeson was charged via a postal requisition on 3 April 2020.

Detective Sergeant Jason Wilkinson, said: "This has been a long and protracted investigation and my thanks goes to the two victims for their bravery, perseverance and resilience. I thank the witnesses for their support.

"The team effort from the police officers involved, counsel and the CPS and the determination that was shown. Justice has been served swiftly by unanimous jury in a non-recent, complex child sexual abuse case. There is vindication for the victims who were subject to most serious sexual offending by a predatory and dangerous individual who was in position of trust and who was meant to care for them not harm them.

"It is the hope of the victim's that their actions in coming forward and reporting these crimes will assist others in doing the same and help towards rebuilding lives.

"Thames Valley Police will always listen to anyone who wishes to make a report regarding matters such as this, which are non-recent. The impact they have on victims cannot be underestimated and officers will work tirelessly to investigate reports and bring offenders like Imeson to court."

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A sex offender has been jailed for 12 years after becoming the latest man to be convicted in a major investigation into child sexual exploitation in Huddersfield.

Rashid Iqbal (46) of Dryclough Road, Huddersfield was jailed at Leeds Crown Court today (August 24) after being found guilty of sexual offending against a young girl between 2003 and 2005.

Rashid Iqbal

Iqbal was found guilty following a four day trial at Leeds Crown Court last week in what was the latest prosecution brought by the police and CPS as part of the long running Operation Tendersea enquiry.

During the trial, the court heard he had sexually abused his victim between the ages of 13-15 within the Huddersfield area.

He was sentenced for two offences of causing or inciting a child under 16 to engage in sexual activity and two offences of indecency with a child under 14.

Operation Tendersea remains an ongoing operation committed to investigating and bringing to justice those responsible for non-recent child sexual exploitation in the Huddersfield area.

DCI Ian Thornes, of the Kirklees District Safeguarding Unit, said: "Iqbal richly deserves the sentences given to him at court today for what was targeted and depraved sexual offending against a child.

"He took advantage of her vulnerability in the worst way and I wish to commend her courage in coming forward and supporting a prosecution which has taken a child sex offender off our streets.

"We are absolutely committed to seeking justice for all victims of sexual offences, no matter when the crimes were committed."

He added: "We do put victim's needs at the heart of every investigation and thoroughly investigate all reports made to us. I would encourage anyone who has been a victim of such offending and not reported it to contact us.

"We will listen and we will investigate as well as help you access any support you may need."

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A deputy headmaster who raped and assaulted girls at a special needs school has been jailed.

David Taylor, 71, sexually assaulted pupils at Stubton Hall School, near Grantham, where he worked between 1975 and 1995, Lincoln Crown Court heard.

He was jailed for 19 years and six months after being found guilty of three counts of rape and four counts of indecent assault against five girls.

Police praised the courage of the victims and witnesses who came forward.

Taylor's abuse came to light in 2016 following a complaint made by a former pupil of the school.

He was deputy head at the school, which was primarily a boarding school for children with special educational needs, for 13 years. The school closed in 2003.

Taylor, of Brayford Wharf North, Lincoln, had denied 32 counts of abuse between 1983 and 1995. He will remain on the sex offenders register for life.

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Raymond Longley, now 86, of Back Lane, Caythorpe, was employed at Stubton Hall School where he and his wife were the main overnight carers for children who boarded.

Longley was convicted by a jury of four charges of indecently assaulting girls under the age of 13 and dates between 1983 and 1986. He denied the charges that related to three victims.

On Monday (August 23) he was jailed for four years and placed on the sex offenders register for life.

Claire Howell, prosecuting, told Lincoln Crown Court that the couple lived in a flat between the girls’ and boys’ dormitories at the school which is close to the border between Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.

She said Longley entered the girls’ sleeping accommodation on a number of occasions targeting vulnerable girls who he believed to be asleep and sexually assaulted them.

Two of the girls later complained to the head teacher but were not believed and instead were punished.

Miss Howell said: “The defendant and his wife were the main live-in carers overnight and so he had unfettered access to the girls in their bedrooms at night. He had a unique position of trust not only dealing with children who were vulnerable but were away from home and asleep at night.

These children went for help to the headteacher. Not only were they not believed but they were punished for telling what was the truth.”

One of the victims, in an impact statement, told the court, “He ruined my life. I couldn’t have relationships. I have never had a boyfriend because of what happened to me at school. I still have nightmares about what he did to me.”

Another victim said she made a fresh start and moved away from the area when she left school but still has nightmares and has been affected by the court case.

Judge Catarina Sjolin Knight said: “These girls were targeted because they were particularly vulnerable. This was a gross breach of trust.

“When two of the girls gained the courage to complain to the head teacher they were disbelieved. They were not protected but punished.

“You claimed the girls were making malicious allegations because you had punished one of them for misbehaving the day before."

The Judge commended the work of the senior police investigating officer Rick Hatton and Det Cons Helen McGill and Melissa Ablett.

She said: “The investigation was wide-ranging and difficult. It is clear that the officers worked tirelessly.”

Stuart Lody, in mitigation, said Longley had no previous convictions and served in the Army and worked as an ambulance driver before he and his wife began working at Stubton Hall.

He said Longley was a popular member of staff among some of the other children who spoke highly of him.

The sentencing follows an investigation which also led to the conviction of David Taylor, 71, from Brayford Wharf North, Lincoln of sexual offences covering a 20-year period between 1983 and 1995 at Lincoln Crown Court.

In 2016 a complaint of sexual assault was made by a former pupil of Stubton Hall School. A detailed criminal investigation by Lincolnshire Police revealed evidence of non-recent sexual offences, assault and ill-treatment by the two former members of staff against a number of pupils at the school. During the investigation 463 school pupils were identified. Of these 203 former pupils engaged with the investigation team.

Stubton Hall School opened in 1952 and was predominantly a boarding school up until 2003 when it closed permanently. It was a special education needs school operated by Lincolnshire County Council.

David Taylor worked at the school between 1975 to 1995 and was Deputy Headmaster between 1982 to 1995.

Raymond Longley worked at the school between 1982 to 1997. He was Head of Care between 1982 and 1984, but remained as a member of the care team until he retired in 1997.

Following a five-week trial at Lincoln Crown Court between in May and June, Taylor was found guilty of three counts of rape, four counts of indecent assault on a girl and two counts of assault/ill-treatment/neglect of a child or young person and sentenced and jailed for a total of 19 years and 6 months in prison. He was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life and also placed on the Barred List. His charges relate to five victims.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Superintendent Richard Hatton said he hoped the convictions would help the victims of these crimes in some way. “The courage to come forward and be prepared to give evidence in court should never be underestimated,” said Mr Hatton.

“We have completed a detailed and thorough investigation but this was only possible because of the evidence given by others. I want to pay tribute to the victims and witnesses whose evidence has brought these two men to face justice.”

The current owners of Stubton Hall are in no way connected to this inquiry.

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A rapist who filmed his sick abuse of a baby was labelled a monster to the innocent by his victims mother.

The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told paedophile Sam Burton: I hope you suffer for what you have done.

On Monday, Oxford Crown Court heard that 23-year-old Burton, who also pasted the heads of people he knew on child sex abuse images, still claimed he was not sexually attracted to children.

Jailing him for 14 years, Judge Nigel Daly imposed an extended sentence with the Abingdon man having to serve an extended four years on licence.

He will spend at least two thirds of his 14-year jail time behind bars before he is eligible for release.

Judge Daly told the defendant: Your actions were so depraved that, quite frankly, they defy belief.

Not only did you carry out the acts, you decided to record what you did. That, in the end, proved to be your downfall.

Prosecutor Michael Williams told the court Burtons vile abuse was uncovered last year when a video was found on his iPad showing him performing a sex act in front of a sleeping child.

Police officers trawled through the tablet computer, discovering a huge collection of child sex abuse images.

They included videos showing him raping a baby, explicit videos of a teen girl with whom he had previously been in a relationship and doctored photographs with the heads of children and an adult known to him pasted on to sex abuse victims.

The evidence pointed to him systematically searching the web for indecent material. He had downloaded from the internet 299 images and videos in category A, 211 in category B and 471 in category C.

In pre-sentence reports prepared by a psychiatrist and a probation officer, Burton was said to have denied having a sexual interest in children but was unable to say why he had carried out the abuse.

Matthew Rowcliffe, mitigating, said Burton was remorseful, had suffered from depression and was using drugs heavily at around the time he carried out his crimes.

Burton, of Sellwood Road, Abingdon, pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity to rape of a child under 13, sexual activity with a child, and making indecent images of children.

The defendant must abide by a sexual harm prevention order and a restraining order for life.

He will be a registered sex offender for the rest of his life.

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A perverted clergyman who was allowed to return to the Church after a sexual assault conviction preyed on two more boys 40 years ago and groomed them for his own twisted sexual gratification.

Depraved David Beater, 80, sat stone-faced in the dock at Maidstone Crown Court as details of his abuse on the vulnerable victims, who were left mentally scarred, were recounted.

He was the vicar at St Botolphs and St Marks Church in Northfleet and showed one victim porn at the vicarage.

Now Beater, of Minnis Road, Birchington, has been jailed for four-and-a-half years after admitting five sex abuse charges which took place in the 1980s.

Judge Philip Statman told him: "These were profound and grave breaches of trust which cause a sense of public outrage when they are revealed.

"One of your victims is now suffering from PTSD... but he has had the bravery to come forward and has now been vindicated.

"Sexual offending leaves the greatest of scars upon its victims."

He praised both victims for their "guts" in coming forward.

Beater was convicted in 1985 of sexually abusing a teenager and later resigned after being fined 250 for the assault, a result described by a barrister as "remarkably lenient".

Astonishingly, he was later allowed back into the Church of England and continued as a clergyman until he retired in 2005.

The judge said: "It is not for me to pass judgment in that regard."

Prosecutor Sophie Shotton told how the latest offences came to light after an attack in prison involving one of the victims.

It triggered horrifying memories from his childhood when the victim's mother had taken him to see Beater because of his musical abilities.

'I considered how different my life might have been had I not been abused by David Beater...'

Under the guise of encouraging him to join the church choir, the pervert - who had "an aura or warmth" - began his abuse almost immediately.

Ms Shotton told how one sex attack resulted in the terrified child being left in physical pain as Beater assured him: "Everything will be alright."

But the victim never returned to the church and later told police he believed the pervert priest was "testing the waters" and each time they met there was more abuse.

In his statement to police he revealed the attack in prison brought back memories of Beater's attack.

"I considered how different my life might have been had I not been abused by David Beater. I felt angry. I buried the abuse and told myself that worse things happened to others.

"On reflection what he did to me has affected me throughout my life... and I even attempted to take my own life at the location where this happened."

He said that he had also lost his faith because of what he endured and has "never felt good enough".

The victim also revealed he was never able to tell his mother what the clergyman - who she thought was "amazing"- had done before she died.

Ms Shotton said the second victim was also a teenager when the sports-loving vicar encouraged him to play squash and then attacked him in the showers.

Beater ignored the child's protests, telling him he "must be clean" before taking him to the vicarage where he showed him pornography and told him he wished they could sleep together.

One of his victims attended the hearing and the second watched by video link.

Simon Taylor QC, defending, said: "At 80 years-old he is about to embark on a prison sentence for which he richly deserves."

He said the "deprived" activities "cannot be undone and caused harm for the victims."

Mr Taylor added: "He is genuinely remorseful and he has tried to rebuild his life."

The court was given a number of testimonials from his neighbours, who attested to his charity work for disaster relief.

'Many years may have passed from the time of the offending, but that does not in any way undo the harm he has caused...'

He has continued attending church services where everyone has been told of his previous conviction.

After the earlier conviction, he resigned but was "invited back" after a C of E safeguarding inquiry ruled he could rejoin the clergy, although only in parishes where there was a senior clergyman present.

After sentencing, DCI Keith Roberts, from Kent Police, said: Owing to the position Beater occupied, people naturally trusted him and viewed him as a person to turn to for support. He abused this trust in the worst possible way.

"Many years may have passed from the time of the offending, but that does not in any way undo the harm he has caused.

"His offending has impacted each victims life in unimaginable ways and it took exceptional courage for each of them to speak to us about their ordeal.

"I am pleased Beater has now been held to account and I sincerely hope this outcome provides the victims with a sense of justice and closure.

"Anyone affected by similar offending needs to know we have specialist officers across the county who will do everything in their power to support them. Please do not suffer alone, contact us so that we can help you."

The Rt Rev Simon Burton Jones, Bishop of Tonbridge on behalf of the Diocese of Rochester, said: We are deeply saddened and appalled by the Rev David Beaters crimes and will be keeping all those affected by his actions in our prayers.

The victim impact statements read out in court demonstrate the devasting and lifelong impact David Beaters abuse has had on their lives.

We commend the bravery of those who brought these allegations forward and acknowledge how difficult this would have been.We apologise unreservedly to them for what has happened and for what they have experienced.

The facts of this case raise concerning questions about decisions and actions taken by the Church in relation to Davids ministry. Because of this, the matter has now been referred to the National Safeguarding Team in accordance with the House of Bishops guidelines.

Mr Beater is retired and has not been in active ministry for more than 10 years.

As a diocese, we take the safety and wellbeing of children and young people very seriously and have robust safeguarding procedures in place.

Anyone with any concerns relating to this case, or any other safeguarding is encouraged to get in touch directly with one of our safeguarding advisers who will offer confidential support and advice - or to speak with someone else they trust."

An NSPCC spokesman said: Beater horrifically betrayed the trust that was placed in him by his community by repeatedly abusing two young boys.

This case shows that no matter how long ago or who it was, child abusers like Beater can be brought to justice."