Latest Offenders

Description

TWO people have been jailed for a catalogue of sexual offences committed against three girls in Southampton over a 12-year period.

Two of the victims were sitting in court as Kim Raquet and Tina Haynes were locked up for 12 years and three years respectively.

The offences were committed between 1981 and 1993, when the girls were aged nine-15.

Following a trial at Southampton Crown Court Raquet, 61, of Goodlands Cale, Hedge End, was convicted of six offences of indecent assault and one of indecency with a child.

Haynes, 57, of Hunts Mead, Sherbourne, Dorset, was convicted of three counts of child cruelty and one of indecency with a child.

The crimes came to light after after police were finally alerted in 2017, the court heard.

In a personal impact statement read to the court one of the victims said: "One of the hardest things I had to do was tell my husband and children what happened to me and ask for their support.

"Having to tell my parents was so difficult. To see them visibly upset made me so angry."

Referring to the ordeal of giving evidence at the trial she added: "I have never been so scared, nervous and humiliated in my life."

Richard Tutt, representing Haynes, said: "She has asked me to make an apology in open court to the two victims of her offending. She is extremely sorry for what they went through."

Mr Tutt said Haynes's co-defendant was "verbally violent" towards her.

He added: "She took the course of least resistance and did not confront Raquet. She accepts she could and should have acted differently.

"Over the past 32 years she has led an unblemished life."

Helen Easterbrook, representing Raquet, said the people he worked with had always regarded him as an outstanding member of the community. She also referred to his voluntary work.

Judge Christopher Parker QC said the victims suffered "severe psychological harm" as a result of being abused "again and again".

He told the defendants: "The harm you caused - particularly you Mr Raquet - could only be assessed as severe. This investigation and the trial process has touched the rawest of nerves.

"The vast majority of the offences were committed not over days, weeks or months but over years."

Judge Parker said Raquet was the main perpetrator but told Haynes: "You had plenty of choices you could exercise which these girls could not."

Speaking after the case Detective Constable Mark Harris said: "I cannot praise the victims enough for the bravery and courage they have shown in reporting what happened. The actions of Raquet and Haynes have had a significant impact on their lives.

"I hope this sentence goes some way in helping them move forward.

"I also hope this sentence will encourage others who have suffered this type of abuse, no matter when it happened, to come forward and speak to us. We take allegations of this nature extremely seriously and work hard to bring offenders to justice."

Description

A man found with more than 4,000 indecent images of children told police he knew it was wrong but that it was 'part of the thrill' and that he had an 'addiction'.

Daniel Cartwright, 24, immediately admitted downloading the images after officers searched his home in June 2019.

He said he watched live streams of children and admitted using an app on his iPad.

Cartwright, from Stretford, Trafford, said he 'knew it was wrong and knew he would be caught', Minshull Street Crown Court heard.

Officers seized five devices - including his phone, iPad, laptop and two computers - all of which contained indecent images of children.

In total, 912 category A images were discovered - the worst kind - as well as 422 category B and 3,472 category C.

Police also found evidence Cartwright had been sharing an eight-minute video recording of a live stream, which he had taken on his iPad, to a number of websites.

Cartwright pleaded guilty to three offences of making indecent images; and one offence of possessing an indecent image with a view to distributing to others.

Description

A serial rapist found guilty of multiple attacks on two young victims has been jailed for 24 years.

Stephen Dowle, from Folkestone, was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court this week for 11 counts of rape against two females over the course of a decade. April 6

Both victims suffered nightmares and panic attacks as the 42-year-old, of Trinity Crescent, continued to lie about his campaign of rape.

Judge Simon James told Dowle he showed no remorse or insight following the attacks on his victims, a woman now in her 20s and a girl who had been aged seven at the time.

Dowles barrister Diana Pignot told the court he continued to deny rape despite being found guilty following a trial last year.

Stephen Dowle told me that the jury made a big mistake, he still denies any sexual offence and that, of course, brings a difficulty in mitigation, she said.

It is clear that Stephen Dowle is not open to any form of rehabilitation treatment. He feels he should not be in custody because he believes he has not done anything wrong.

She has also drawn a wanted poster, and said Its okay, he is in prison and cant get me now'.

But Judge Simon James, after hearing the severe psychological impact he had caused, told Dowle his victims were to be commended for reporting their ordeal.

Prosecuting, Madeleine Wolfe described Dowle as carrying out a campaign of rape and having made (his eldest victims) childhood unthinkable.

The woman told the court in a statement she still suffers nightmares, panic attacks and cannot shop alone, despite Dowle being in custody.

His youngest victims carer said the girl also suffered night-terrors and severe anxiety and struggled to trust adults.

She will not talk about him and during her playing concentrates on the bad people and wants them in jail," they added.

She has also drawn a wanted poster, and said Its okay, he is in prison and cant get me now'.

The judge described Dowle as a sexual deviant and said he would serve two third of his 24-year prison sentence before being considered for parole. A further four will be spent on licence.

Dowle was convicted of seven counts of raping underaged girls, assaulting a girl under 16 and four counts of raping a female over 16.

Description

A paedophile caught sending sexual photos to two 'girls' blamed his innocent brothers when interviewed by police.

Wayne Collins thought he was chatting to children when he discussed sex and sent naked pictures of himself online.

In reality both "Bella", 13, and 12-year-old "Jess" - who he met on Kik Messenger - were undercover police officers.

Police raided the 29-year-old's home in Belmont Road, Anfield and seized his Sony Xperia phone, containing indecent images of children and his collection of "d*** pics".

Liverpool Crown Court heard how the pervert then tried to worm out of trouble by claiming his brothers used the device.

Katy Appleton, prosecuting, said Collins chatted with Bella, an officer from South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU), between July 16 and August 9, 2019.

Then 28-year-old Collins, using the profile wayno37, claimed he was 24 when Bella said she was 13 and from Exeter.

After one day he turned the conversation to sex and sent a photo of an erect penis, before asking about her breast size.

Collins said "u can practice sucking on my big lollipop" and said: "Don't show anyone the convo or pics lol x"

Ms Appleton said he sent a picture of him "naked to the waist down and wearing only his boxer pants", asked for a photo of Bella in shorts and a bikini top, and instructed her how to perform sex acts and asked "so u wana lose ur virginity to me".

SWROCU was unable to identify Collins, but North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU) tracked him down.

On September 2 and 3, 2019 he spoke with a NWROCU officer pretending to be Jess, a 12-year-old from Cheshire.

Collins - now claiming to be 22 - sent her a photo of his erect penis, asked about her breasts and for photos, then sent an image of himself holding his penis.

He asked if he could "f***" her and the next day asked for photos, then suggested they meet so she could suck his "lollipop".

NWROCU discovered Collins' IP address and Merseyside Police went to his home on November 13, 2019.

Collins claimed he hadn't had KIK for about two years before his Xperia phone - found to contain two Category C indecent images of a child - was seized.

When interviewed, Collins claimed his KIK account was blocked and he hadn't used it since moving into his home in June, despite confirming the profile was his.

Ms Appleton said: "He denied sending images of his penis to any child but admitted that his mobile telephone would have images of his penis, which he has sent to adults.

"He stated that as his phone is not PIN protected, his two brothers could have used it without his knowledge."

Collins, who said his brothers used the phone to call his step dad, denied being sexually attracted to children and said while he had been sent indecent images in the past, he blocked them straight away.

He denied putting a picture of his torso on his KIK account or talking with Jess, and when he said he was 28, not 22, told police one of his brothers was 20 or 21.

Police spoke to his two brothers, one of whom said he had been to Collins' home three times that year, but never used his phone or social media.

The other brother said he lived with Collins for two weeks in 2019, but spent all his time at work or at his girlfriend's.

He admitted using Collins' phone once in the past, when he said he and the other brother found indecent images of girls, which girls had sent to Collins, and "d*** pics" Collins had sent back.

He told police he called Collins "dirty" and they had an argument, which he told his mum about.

The court heard a probation officer for this brother confirmed they had met with him at the time Collins was chatting to Jess.

When interviewed again, Collins called the brother who told police about the images on his phone "a pathological liar" and said he thought that brother may have used his internet on September 2.

He then claimed he was with that brother during his probation appointment.

Collins, who has no previous convictions, admitted downloading and possessing indecent images of a child, two counts of attempting to sexually communicate with a child, two counts of attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity and two counts of attempting to cause a child to look at an image of a person engaging in sexual activity.

Paul Becker, defending, said Collins, of Croxteth Drive, Sefton Park, had a character reference from his step dad, who was sitting in the public gallery.

Referring to denials he made in a pre-sentence report, Mr Becker said: "I think the best I can say for the defendant, given his vehement denials, is these are very embarrassing matters and he was interviewed in the presence of his parents.

"He's brought shame upon himself and his family and he's facing the prospect of an immediate period of custody."

Mr Becker argued that Collins and the community would be better served if Collins was spared jail and sent on a Horizon sex offenders treatment programme, rather than spending time in prison, when he might not get the help he needs.

He said Collins was "not sophisticated", adding: "He seems to me to be socially isolated, he seems to me to be the sort of person who doesn't have many friends, who is far more comfortable being on a device as opposed to being in a crowd of people. He lacks self-esteem, he lacks confidence."

The judge, Recorder Mark Ainsworth, told Collins: "The offences are very serious and you must appreciate just how serious they are."

He jailed Collins for 20 months and told him to sign on the Sex Offenders Register and comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years.

Description

VILE paedophile who was convicted of abusing a child in a public swimming pool 37 years ago is finally behind bars after sexually assaulting another young girl. Bolton Crown Court heard how, in 1984, Patrick Kelly was at a swimming pool when he touched a girls private parts inside her costume. He was fined for the offence. I dont wish to comment unduly on sentencing regimes 30-odd years ago, but they were very different times, said Judge Timothy Stead. If it arose today I am fairly confident it wouldnt be a fine. Kellys sexual interest in children continued and he has now been jailed for three years after he sexually assaulted a nine-year-old girl on three occasions. Daniel Calder, prosecuting, told how Kelly knew the childs family and the offences occurred while she was watching television with him. They were unaware of his previous conviction. The court heard that they were in a living room together one evening, both sat on the couch, when 65-year-old Kelly told her: You can put your legs up on me. The little girl obeyed but then he put his hand inside her clothing and underwear and touched her private parts. Kelly kept his hand there for up to 40 minutes as he watched television. Mr Calder said there were then two further occasions when Kelly repeated the offence in a similar way. Kelly was arrested after the little girl told her mother what had happened. He denied the offence initially, claiming that any contact he may have made would have been accidental and not sexually motivated, said Mr Calder. Kelly, of Tabley Road, Bolton, eventually pleaded guilty to three counts of sexually assaulting a child. In a victim statement the girls mother told the court how the little girl was quiet, shy and very sensitive. I believe Patrick Kelly has taken advantage of her young age and her personality, said the mum, who added that, as a result of the abuse, her daughter has become emotional, clingy and scared to leave the house. Helena Williams, defending Kelly, told the court: He does express regret and remorse for this offending, particularly the impact this has had on the girl. He still cant explain why he did what he did. She added that he had a heart condition and, earlier this year, was seriously ill with Covid-19 and is still suffering from the after-effects. Kelly continues to maintain that he does not have a sexual interest in children which Judge Timothy Stead described as untenable. The defendant, in my view cannot sensible claim he has no sexual attraction to children, he said. Miss Williams told Judge Stead, that, after Kellys swimming pool conviction he was not given any help to deal with his behaviour. They were less enlightened times, said Judge Stead. In addition to the jail sentence, Kelly was placed on the sex offenders register and made subject to a sexual harm prevention order for life.

Description

A molester who bullied a teenager into having sex on a regular basis for years has been jailed.

The victim told a jury that Gary William Jelly had effectively "blackmailed" her into suffering the abuse.

Jelly, 52, who formerly used the surname Bollen - and has a previous conviction for manslaughter - befriended the girl more than 15-years-ago and groomed her with cigarettes and money.

When she later refused to cooperate, he put her in fear of violence, including once threatening to put her head though a window.

A jury convicted Jelly of a catalogue of sex offences following a two week trial in February and he appeared at Leicester Crown Court today (April 7), via a live video link from prison for sentencing.

Judge Keith Raynor said the offences included sexual activity in a garden shed, a garage and a caravan.

Jelly took "explicit" photographs of the complainant, some without her knowledge. The images were later used as leverage, in threatening text messages and calls, to enforce her compliance.

When she gave evidence, she said: "It was like I bowed down, pretty much he clicked his fingers.

"He had that much control over me."

Judge Raynor told Jelly: "The text messages show you as a pathetic middle-aged bully.

"You used your money to get what you wanted and threatened to expose her and show sexual pictures of her to others, including her family.

"You maintained your threats to have a hold over her and wanted her at your beck and call.

"She told you on multiple occasions 'I'm sick of this blackmail.'

"She needed money on occasions and you preyed on that financial vulnerability.

"On one occasion you threatened to go round and beat her up and on another said you would put her head through a window.

"When she didn't want to see you, you began stalking her."

"She suffered significant psychological trauma."

"Your conduct was to maximize fear and distress, with a high degree of planning and it was persistent action over a prolonged period."

The judge said he took into account the four year delay in the trial taking place, Jelly's chronic ill health, including a heart condition and the restrictions in prison regarding Covid-19.

Defence counsel, Rachel Darby, said Jelly's family, including his elderly parents would suffer because of his incarceration.

Jelly, formerly of Woodland Road, off Uppingham Road, Leicester, was convicted on majority 11 - 1 verdicts on four counts of sexual activity with a child under 16 and two offences of paying for the sexual services of the same girl, during a 12 month period.

Jelly denied the offences, claiming nothing sexual happened until the complainant was aged 19 and she consented. He gave her cigarettes and money just "to help her out."

He pleaded guilty to one count of putting the same victim in fear of violence, by "making numerous threats" when she was an adult, between 2013 and 2014.

Prosecutor Richard Thatcher said it was only after many years of feeling ashamed and staying silent, she found the courage to tell her family and finally report the matter.

Judge Raynor today jailed Jelly for a total of eight years and four months.

He was also placed on a 12 year sexual harm prevention order, banning any contact with the victim.

The judge publicly commended officer in the case, Detective Constable Alec Lester, for his "excellent" work including investigating an issue that arose during the trial.

The court heard that in 2017, the defendant received a seven year jail sentence, for an unrelated offence of manslaughter which involved the death of a "vulnerable" 34-year-old woman.

He was on early release licence from that sentence when he stood trial for the sex offences.

Judge Raynor said Jelly's conviction for the manslaughter - involving him pushing over the victim who died from rib injuries - was "relevant" because he had behaved in a similarly bullying manner towards the sex abuse victim.

He said Jelly told the manslaughter victim during a confrontation: "Don't mess with me."

MANSLAUGHTER CONVICTION

Jelly, then aged 47, and his daughter, Natalie Bollen, then aged 29, were said to have both assaulted a woman, Kelly Machin, following a neighbours' row over a burst child's football in August 2016.

The father and daughter, who were both jailed for seven years, confronted Ms Machin at her home in Waldwick Close, Leicester Forest East.

Ms Machin died alone on her living room sofa, from internal bleeding caused by fractured ribs, several days later.

The incident occurred after Ms Machin became so "fed up" with footballs coming over the fence into her garden, from Bollen's nearby home, that she burst it with a knife before throwing it back.

Bollen became outraged and went round with her father.

The sentencing judge on that occasion observed that three punches from Bollen and a forceful push onto a coffee table by Jelly had unintentionally led to the woman's death.

Description

A former soldier from Lanarkshire who claimed he had consumed nearly 30 alcoholic drinks before he carried out a sex attack on a young woman was today jailed for five years.

Christopher Robertson began molesting the woman after she fell asleep and raped her after she awoke during the ordeal at his former home in Airdrie.

The woman had been at a nightclub with friends before going on to a party, but decided to go home.

Robertson, 39, had also been out a pub with friends and contacted her while she was trying to get a taxi and they went back to his then-home.

She said she was tired and needed to go home but he suggested that she sleep at his house. She woke to find him lying on top of her subjecting her to an assault.

The woman was in a state of extreme distress when she spoke to witnesses following the attack on her.

Robertson, formerly of Mavisbank Street in Airdrie, had denied raping the woman during an earlier trial but was convicted of the offence committed on December 9, 2017.

During the attack he pulled down the lower clothing and underwear of the woman, who was 15 years younger than him, lay on top of her and molested her and after she wakened, raped her.

Judge Lord Boyd of Duncansby told Robertson: “You continue to deny your guilt and suggest that the complainer herself instigated sex.”

He said he had no doubt that the effects of Robertson’s offence will live with the victim for some time to come.

The judge told Robertson that he would be placed on the sex offenders’ register for an indefinite period following his sentencing.

The court heard that Robertson had drunk 10 pints of lager, six Jack Daniels and Coke, eight shots of Jagermeister and several bottles of Budweiser.

Robertson claimed that he went to bed as he was tired and that the woman joined him and they started kissing before having sex.

He claimed that he fell asleep and was not aware of the woman leaving the house. He said: “The next thing I remember was waking up with four CID officers in the room.

“They said there had been an allegation of rape against me. I said: ‘Are you f****** kidding me?’”

Defence solicitor advocate John Keenan said: “It would have to be accepted he was significantly under the influence of alcohol at the time this offence was committed.”

Mr Keenan said it was “a very serious offence” and Robertson appreciated that a prison sentence was inevitable.

He said the construction industry worker had previously served in the army for four years and did two tours of duty as a soldier in Iraq.

Robertson followed the sentencing proceedings at the High Court in Edinburgh via a video link to Barlinnie prison in Glasgow.

Description

A WINCHESTER man who was snared by a paedophile hunter after he asked for nude photographs of a child, he believed was 12-years-old, has been spared prison.

Just three months after he was convicted of a raft of sexual offences, Dean Mould used the internet to ask a "12-year-old girl" to send pictures of herself naked.

But Mould, of Christchurch Road, was actually talking to "self-styled paedophile hunter", who sent the images but later informed police. The 35-year-old was arrested.

He was charged with intentionally causing or inciting a girl under the age of 13 to engage in sexual activity and breaching a sexual harm prevention order. He previously pleaded guilty.

On Wednesday, Winchester Crown Court was told that Mould breached the order as he had not informed police of a phone, he was using to access the internet.

In July last year Mould was found guilty of four offences of sexual communication with a child, eight counts of being in possession of indecent and extreme images and one of distribution. He offended again on October 27, but his criminality was not discovered until December 27.

During that sentencing a sexual harm prevention order and a supervision order was imposed. Mould, who is said to be "marred by learning difficulties", was also given a care plan with a psychiatric team on his release from custody.

The court heard that Mould "did not want to engage" and the plan was not carried out.

In mitigation, Richard Martin said that there were several reasons set out in an updated psychiatric report why Mould should not be sent to prison.

He continued: "For somebody in his position it is very understandable that they maintain a position that they do not want help. Mr Mould knows that he has to obey people and that he has to go on courses."

Mr Martin said that here has been a "realisation from Mr Mould that he doesn't want to go back to prison and that if he reverts to this sort of behaviour again it will get him locked up".

"All, I submit, we can do is try again. Nothing is going to help if he is sent to prison."

In sentencing, Judge Miller said: "I hoped when I sentenced you in July of last year that I would not be seeing you again. In fact, survived only about three months before you are committing offences again."

Mould was given a three-year community order, with 40 rehabilitation days and must attend a sexual offending treatment programme.

Description

A Huntington man who downloaded indecent images of children for five years told police he had "titillating and entertaining" pictures on his computer, York Crown Court heard.

But he denied being sexually interested in youngsters.

He tried to blame other people by claiming he was not the only one using his computer.

Patrick Palmer, prosecuting, said after police found more than 100 illegal images on his computer, Roy Dean admitted he was the only one who had access to the desktop.

Dean, 63, of Broome Close, Huntington, pleaded guilty to three charges of having indecent images of children.

“Until people like you stop looking at such images the market in them continues to thrive,” Judge Simon Hickey told him.

He gave him an eight-month prison sentence suspended for two years on condition Dean does 40 days' rehabilitation activities. He will also be on the sex offenders register and subject to a sexual harm prevention order restricting his use of the internet for 10 years.

Graham Parkin, for Dean, said he had been working on addressing his sexual behaviour since his arrest.

Mr Palmer said police raided Dean's home on May 7, after being told that sexual images of children had been downloaded at his address on March 14.

He told them he had only been looking at adult pornography and that he had "titillating and entertaining" images on his computer.

"An aggravating feature which I don't like in this case if you suggested others had access to your material or your desktop, something you now resile from," said Judge Hickey.

Mr Palmer said police confiscated Dean's desktop computer and several USB sticks and found illegal images on four of the sticks and on the desktop.

They found 36 images of the worst kind of sexual abuse, 19 of the next category and 87 of the lowest category, all downloaded between 2015 and 2020.

They also found evidence he had been actively searching for sexual images of children.

Interviewed again, Dean admitted that he and he alone was responsible for the images.

Description

A mum was sent a video of a paedophile having sex with her daughter after he groomed her over Snapchat.

Matthew Lawton preyed on two teenage girls and lured them with offers of cigarettes, alcohol and cannabis.

The then 29-year-old lied that he was 19 to trick the children, aged 14 and 13, into meeting for consensual sex.

Under UK law - while it is illegal to engage in sexual activity with anyone under 16 - consensual sex is not considered rape if the child is 13 or older.

Lawton pestered the victims to send him intimate photos and filmed the 14-year-old - aka Girl A - having sex with him.

The "monster" used the clip to blackmail her into further abuse - including a rape after he held a knife to her throat - when she tried to stop seeing him.

And he later posted it on a Snapchat account called "slags", leading to the video being sent to the girl's mum.

Lawton, of Milton Road, Widnes, who claimed he thought the girls were 16, was found guilty after a trial at Liverpool Crown Court of 19 sexual offences.

Judge Denis Watson, QC, today said Lawton "corrupted" the girls after he "lied" about his age and "engineered" the abuse.

He said: "You're 30 and you had a girlfriend. What you also had, and still have, I find, is a serious sexual interest in young girls.

"You were regularly in contact with young teenagers on social media including Snapchat and you knew very well that these young teenagers enjoyed attention from you, an older male, even though you didn't give your true age.

"You would typically offer alcohol, or cigarettes, or cannabis, or a combination of them, and that proved sufficient for them to be prepared to meet you and engage in sexual activity, which they wished to keep secret from their parents and their friends."

Judge Watson added: "You were after one thing, sex."

The judge said Lawton abused Girl A over a four or five month period, during which time texts showed he threatened to break windows at her parents' home and to post the video on social media.

Judge Watson said one rape happened after Lawton pressured Girl A to meet him at his house and she made clear she didn't want sex.

He said: "Once you got her to the house you held a knife to her throat and then by strength and threat overcame her resistance and you raped her."

Judge Watson said the girl was "terrified" and while Lawton claimed he was "only messing" and put the knife down, he raped her immediately afterwards.

Another rape happened after he threatened to damage her mum's car unless she met him, so she climbed out her bedroom window.

Having been "coerced" by Lawton, she met him on a sports ground in the early hours of the morning, when he again raped her.

Judge Watson said the threats were "successful", but when she stopped seeing him, Lawton posted the video online.

He said: "She was instantly recognised by those who saw it and the video was even sent to her own mother."

The judge said it was "planned and calculated exploitation" of a vulnerable teen, which involved "controlling her for your own sexual gratification".

Sarah Holt, prosecuting, read a victim statement from Girl A, who was left suffering panic attacks, nightmares and self-harming.

Girl A said: "He's a monster, that's what I call him. He's a monster, what else is he? He controlled me and he made me go against my parents."

The victim said she felt angry and ashamed, blamed herself and saw her parents upset, including her dad, who received texts from people blaming her.

Girl A said: "Whose dad wants to know that this has happened to their little girl?"

She described receiving threats from people saying they would "batter" her because they were mentioned in court and also fears Lawton will return.

Girl A said: "I don't feel safe from him. I feel like the monster has won. I feel like he's taken my life and taken my childhood."

Judge Watson said the offences against Girl B didn't involve rape but involved grooming and soliciting of sexual images.

Girl B told the court she felt like "a prisoner in my own home" because her mum was trying to protect her, leading to arguments.

She felt "constantly anxious", worried he would return, cried uncontrollably and felt like everyone was staring and judging her.

Lawton was convicted of four counts of rape, nine counts of sexual activity with a child, two counts of meeting a child following sexual grooming, two counts of sexual communication with a child, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and taking indecent photographs of a child.

He was previously jailed for six years for inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent in 2011.

Paul Becker, defending, said his client was bullied at school, then expelled, but went to college and had a good work record.

He said: "There is evidence without a diagnosis of ADHD and certainly evidence of anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation."

Mr Becker said prison staff were concerned about Lawton, who was medicated for depression and had a "fatty liver".

The lawyer said: "His parents were present during the trial and Mr Lawton has family support.

"He's had issues with bereavement, having lost special friends and grandparents over the last few years.

"Some of those bereavement issues remain unresolved - the defendant has not had counselling."

Judge Watson told Lawton: "Your parents have not given up on you."

However, referring to Girl A, he noted "the sinister fact of you picking up a knife and holding it to her neck, immediately prior to the rape" and "a willingness to achieve what you want by the use of blackmail".

Judge Watson said he was a "dangerous offender" and jailed him for 15 years, with an extended four years on licence.

Lawton must serve at least two thirds of the sentence - 10 years - behind bars before he can apply for parole.

He will only be released before the end of the sentence if he is no longer considered a risk.

Lawton must sign the Sex Offenders Register and comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order indefinitely.

Description

A convicted rapist who twice went on foreign holidays including to the Philippines without telling the police was put back behind bars today.

James Farquhar, who served 12 years in prison for repeatedly raping a teenage girl, was required to tell the police if he applied for a passport or went abroad under the terms of the Sex Offenders Register.

But Liverpool Crown Court heard that he applied for a passport in November 2019, and the following March he flew to the Philippines for a months holiday.

Derek Jones, prosecuting, said Farquhar's offender manager was told about the jaunt on his return and enquiries began into his passport acquisition.

However Farquhar was not interviewed by Merseyside Police until November 2020 - by which time he had also spent a week on the Greek island of Cos a few weeks earlier.

Mr Jones said that if the police had had any particular concerns about what he had been doing in the Philippines he would have been arrested sooner.

Judge Garrett Byrne, sentencing, today told 62-year-old Farquhar: This was flagrant disregard of the notification requirements which are designed to manage the risk you pose to the community."

Judge Byrne said that in interview Farquhar had feigned ignorance of the requirements but had in fact travelled in full knowledge that he was breaking the rules.

Farquhar, of Ford Lane, Litherland, but formerly of Southport, pleaded guilty to three offences of breaching the Sex Offender Register requirements and was jailed for nine months.

He was jailed at Liverpool Crown Court in 2005 for 15 years for five offences of rape, involving a girl aged between 16 and 20, and was ordered to sign the Register indefinitely. The jail term was reduced on appeal to 12 years.

He received a suspended prison sentence in February 2018 for battery of his ex-partner and staying at her home for longer than seven days without notifying the police.

Matthew ONeill, defending, said that Farquhar told the police he was not aware he should have notified them about obtaining a passport and going abroad on holiday. He signs the Register annually but had not been aware of those particular conditions.

He told the court: It was not deliberate. It was due to a mistaken belief that he did not need to notify the authorities.

Mr O'Neill said his client is in ill health and due for open heart surgery in five months time.

He added Farquhar has been in custody for a month after pleading guilty to the offences, which has been challenging because of the pandemic, and he urged the judge to suspend any prison sentence.

Description

Two men from St Leonards have been jailed after pleading guilty to making and distributing indecent images of children.

Joe Wibberley, 30, of Battle Road, St Leonards, and Karl James, 30, also of Battle Road, St Leonards, were both sentenced at Lewes Crown Court.

At Hastings Magistrates Court in February, Wibberley indicated a plea of guilty to distributing two Category A and two Category B indecent images of children. The offences took place between December 15, 2017, and October 22, 2018.

He also indicated guilty pleas to charges of making no fewer than 334 Category A indecent images of children, 208 Category B indecent images of children and 673 Category C indecent images of children, on, or before, October 30, 2018.

James indicated a plea of guilty to distributing five Category A indecent images of children and one Category A indecent movie of children. He indicated guilty pleas to distributing two Category B video images of children and one Category C image of children. The offences took place between December 15, 2017, and October 22, 2018.

He also indicated guilty pleas to charges of making no fewer than 237 Category A indecent images of children, 261 Category B indecent images of children and 287 Category C indecent images of children, on, or before, October 30, 2018.

Both men were released on conditional bail before they were sentenced on March 3. At Lewes Crown Court on that day, both men were sentenced to a total of 24 months imprisonment, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed.

A sexual harm prevention order was also put in place for both Wibberley and James for a period of ten years.

Sussex Police said none of the images were believed to be of local children.

A spokesman for the force said: This prosecution resulted from an intelligence-led investigation by officers from the Paedophile On Line Investigation Team of Sussex Police.

The images were found to have been obtained from the Internet and none are believed to be of local children. We will always follow up such reports.

Description

A paedophile who filmed a girl undressing at a beach and downloaded vile photos will be set free in two weeks' time.

David Cadman was arrested after recording the nine-year-old when she was with her parents at New Brighton beach last August.

The 65-year-old was jailed for 16 months for breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) in relation to the video in November.

But he was back in court today to be sentenced for keeping a twisted collection of pictures, including 20 images of children being raped.

Cadman, of Espin Street, Walton, admitted three counts of downloading and one count of possessing indecent images of children at a hearing last month.

However, while he hadn't been charged over those images by the time of his sentencing last year, Judge Anil Murray today said he had previously taken them into account.

The judge said: "The offences that are before the court today were known about at the time of my sentence and were part of the factual matrix of that sentence, because I had to assess culpability for the breach of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order and part of that breach was having those indecent images."

Zillah Williams, prosecuting, said: "Indeed it was and your honour expressly commented that you had taken into account the existence of those images."

Police found Cadman's sickening stash, along with the video he took of the girl undressing, when they raided his home last August.

Liverpool Crown Court heard he had 20 Category A - the most serious category showing child rape - 14 Category B and 121 Category C files.

Judge Murray said: "The defendant has just told Ms McCloskey [Louise McCloskey, defending] that he is due to be released on April 14, which is about two weeks' time.

"Ms Williams, it seems to me that having already taken these into account, I ought not pass a sentence that would lengthen the defendant's stay in prison and I ought not pass a suspended sentence that would place him in further jeopardy."

The judge said in those "unusual circumstances" it also wouldn't be appropriate to give Cadman a conditional discharge and that he would instead impose a "very short" prison sentence, which didn't extend his time in prison.

Judge Murray said intended to jail Cadman for 28 days, meaning he would serve half of that term and be released in around two weeks' time.

He said: "Clearly that doesn't reflect the guidelines, but this is an unusual case because I've already taken it into account."

Judge Murray jailed Cadman for 28 days and ordered him to sign on the Sex Offenders Register for another seven years.

Cadman's indefinite SHPO was first imposed when he was jailed for 14 months for possessing indecent images of children in November 2015.

He has previously been convicted of indecent assault in 1977 and of exposure in 1990.

Last year, when officers raided Cadman's home and seized a black Sony mobile phone, they discovered he had wiped his internet history five or six weeks previously, which he claimed was due to an update.

The court heard it was obvious from the video of the girl on the beach that her parents were unaware she was being filmed and were trying to cover her up with a towel as she was getting changed.

When asked about the video, Cadman said: "I didn't know her, she was just on the beach with her family. I know it's wrong, I don't know why I did it."

Another mobile phone was seized along with a digital camera, a Samsung Galaxy tablet and four USB sticks, from which the indecent images were recovered.

Officers also found a small amount of cannabis.

When asked last year what explanation her client gave for taking the video of the girl, Ms McCloskey said: "The main explanation which has been advanced is that he felt isolated and lonely.

"He didn't go out to commit any offences, took the photographs and realised what he did was wrong.

"When the police officers came there isn't an explicit denial of sexual motivation, but there isn't a full admission."

Description

A pervert from Llandovery has appeared for sentence at Swansea Crown Court after admitting to making and distributing indecent images of children.
Rhys Long, of Cynghordy, Llandovery, had previously indicated a guilty plea.

The 19-year-old admitted making almost 200 images with 40 of them falling into Category A the most extreme category showing the rape or torture of young children
25 extreme pornographic images depicting bestiality were also found.

Long also admitted distributing the above images to other like minded perverts online.

Allegations of child grooming were also made by several young victims. However, no charges were made.

Long was not jailed but instead received a suspended sentence.

A sexual harm prevention order was put in place and he was told to register as a sex offender immediately.

2022 Update

Rhys Long, 22, of Cynghordy, Llandovery, is due to by sentenced by Swansea Crown Court next month for breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

Long was made subject to a sexual harm prevention order on May 21, 2021, and appeared at Llanelli Magistrates Court on August 25 where he pleaded guilty to breaching the order.

The breach occurred on May 11 this year when he failed to inform police officers that he had created a username on Discord and had an unregistered email address.

He will be sentenced by Swansea Crown Court who made the initial order on 8 September 2022.

Description

A former teaching assistant downloaded and saved thousands of images of child sex abuse, a court has heard.

Police found more than 5,000 indecent pictures and films on Iestyn Thomas' laptops and mobile phone, and in an online storage account he had.

Officers also found he had visited a Russian website which hosted such material some 38,000 times.

Swansea Crown Court heard the 51-year-old had used a laptop which was shared by other members of his family for some of his activities - potentially dragging wholly innocent people into the police investigaiton.

Ieuan Rees, prosecuting, said the offending came to light when police executed a search warrant at Thomas' house in Bonymaen, Swansea, early on the morning of March 4 last year.

He said officers seized the defendant's Huawei mobile phone, and Acer and HP laptops.

An examination of the devices and of a linked DropBox online account revealed a total of 5,300 pictures and films showing the sexual abuse of children. Some 774 of these were so-called Category A images, the most explicit kind. The examination also found 24 prohibited images of children, and 34 pictures and movies featuring animals classed as extreme pornography.

Mr Rees said the creation dates on the files reached back to at least 2015.

The court heard investigators also found Thomas had used internet search terms linked to child pornography, and had visited a Russian website which hosted images of child sex abuse around 38,000 times.

The prosecutor said it appeared from profiles on one of the laptops involved that it was a shared machine used by at least two other people in the family.

Thomas, of Cardigan Crescent, Bonymaen, Swansea, had previously pleaded guilty to three counts of making - downloading - indecent images of Category A, B, and C, and to possessing prohibited images and extreme pornographic images when he appeared in the dock for sentencing.

He has no previous convictions.

Andrew Evans, for Thomas, said while not an excuse for the offending, the defendant had been suffering from anxiety and stress for some time and had become, in effect, "addicted" to pornography and to indecent images.

He said letters from family members and friends submitted to the court spoke highly of his client, and said there had never been any cause for concern about his behaviour during the course of his work with vulnerable people.

The advocate said Thomas had sought help from the Lucy Faithful Foundation - an organisation which seeks to tackle sex offending - and referred himself to counselling.