Latest Offenders

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A Fishponds man who twice forced himself on a woman has been jailed. Ghulam Mustapha would not take "no" for an answer and had sex with her against her will. Bristol Crown Court heard she suffered both physical pain and psychological trauma as a result. Mustapha 48, of Cherrytree Crescent, denied wrongdoing but a jury convicted him of two charges of rape. Judge Euan Ambrose jailed him for 13 years. He told Mustapha: "She has suffered severe psychological harm, as her victim personal statement made clear, and significant physical harm in the form of ongoing pain." Mustapaha was handed an indefinite restraining order to have no contact with the complainant. He was ordered to sign on the Sex Offenders Register for life. Jennifer Tallentire, prosecuting, read the complainant's statement in which she said the rapes had left her suffering night sweats and flashbacks.

'I can't stop thinking about what happened'

The woman said it was likely she would have to live with severe pelvis pain and, she had been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. She stated: "I can't stop thinking about what happened. "The court process has made it all worse. "It has really knocked my confidence, I am paranoid I'm being followed and I'm worried someone will hurt me. "I get scared of everything." Michael Haynes, defending, told the court: "What we are really talking about at the end of the day is totality." Investigating police officer DC James Claridge said: "Mustapha put his own sexual desires above the welfare of his victim, forcing himself on her. "As well as the physical pain he caused, he also inflicted significant emotional trauma on her which she is still coming to terms with. "We continue to provide her with access to specialist support services and hope today's sentence brings her some comfort." He added "I'd like to commend Mustapha's victim for the courage she's shown throughout the criminal justice process – all police officers fully appreciate it can be often difficult for victims of sexual offences to report them and to give evidence at court and she has been extremely brave in doing so."

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Police have praised the victims of a predatory pervert after he was convicted of sexually assaulting two women.

Raymond Finn preyed on his adult victims as he worked as a festive entertainer in December 2018.

Finn, who played the role of Santa Clause, was immediately dismissed from the job and he was reported to police.

An investigation was launched by Northumbria Police's safeguarding unit and Finn was arrested.

The 71-year-old denied the allegations but in May a jury at Newcastle Crown Court convicted him of three counts of sexual assault.

The court was told Finn had 'smacked the bum' of one victim pushed his groin into her. He then tried to pull his body against the second victim.

Yesterday (Wednesday), he was sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for 18 months.

Detective Constable Frank Cox, leading the investigation, hoped the conviction would give some closure to the victims and warned that this behaviour is unacceptable.

Det Con Cox said: "Finn is a predator who thought it was acceptable to sexually touch women without their consent. It is simply not acceptable and we will take action to put such offenders before the courts.

"At no point has Finn shown any remorse for what he has done. But with thanks to the victims for speaking out, he has been convicted of his actions."

Finn, of Brentwood Avenue, Newbiggin by the Sea, was also handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and will also have to sign the Sex Offender's Register for a period of seven years.

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A fugitive paedophile was arrested by police in Dover after being found hiding in a lorry bound for France.

Mezbaha Uddin is now facing a long spell in jail after a jury convicted him of a string of child sex offences.

The 39-year-old had been under investigation by Nottinghamshire Police in relation to a series of offences between September 2018 and July 2020.

A jury has now found him guilty of 16 child sex offences including 10 counts of attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child and six counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

He is due to be sentenced on October 22.

Canterbury Crown Court heard that Uddin's arrest followed an allegation of sexual communication with a child in Nottinghamshire in July 2019.

Jurors heard that Uddin had communicated with a decoy account set up by an online child activist group.

The group alerted police when he sent indecent images of himself and arranged to meet what he thought was a 14-year-old girl in Mansfield.

Uddin was arrested and his mobile phone was seized.

Messages from a chatroom website found that Uddin had attempted to engage in sexual communications with more than a dozen underage girls, in some instances with a view to meeting them in person.

On other occasions, he encouraged girls to engage in sexual activity while he watched.

Detective Constable Stuart Dolby, of Nottinghamshire Police's public protection team, welcomed the convictions.

'This was a complex and thorough investigation which included disturbing evidence for our officers to deal with.

'I am pleased with the verdicts and I hope they send a clear message that Nottinghamshire Police will do what is necessary to tackle these crimes and to protect the most vulnerable people in our communities.

'Child sex offences of any kind are taken incredibly seriously and we have a number of tactics in place to catch offenders out.

'No child should be subjected to any sexual offence and it's our duty to protect them.'

Description

A wicked rapist whose 13-year-old victim became pregnant in the 1970s has been jailed decades after the crime, following a successful prosecution pursued by his victims daughter. Carvel Bennett, now 74, admitted having sex with the youngster more than 40 years ago, but claimed at his trial that she had seduced him and consented, telling him she was 16. He was convicted by a Birmingham Crown Court jury in less than two hours, and jailed for 11 years on Tuesday. Giving evidence at his trial, unapologetic Bennett was asked if he owed anything to his victim, and replied: I dont feel I have to apologise to her. I dont feel I have done anything to her. "Carvel Bennett, you have caused total carnage. Your act of violence decimated any potential relationship between my birth mother and I because you chose to rape a child" Bennett's daughter in her witness statement in court Judge Martin Hurst, sentencing, told Bennett, who had no previous convictions, he had engaged in victim-blaming at the trial, adding: You hold her responsible for your wicked act. He said the jury had seen through the rapists ridiculous claim that the victim had instigated sex, having concocted evidence for the trial. The judge said: Your behaviour that day has ruined at least two lives and I hope you spend time in prison considering it. Bennett, of Hansons Bridge Road, Birmingham, did not react as he was sentenced. The victim had turned 14 by the time she gave birth to a baby girl, who was fostered and later put up for adoption. DNA results proved Bennett was the father, though he had denied paternity at the time of the offence and during the new police investigation in 2019. The fresh inquiry only took place after the victims now adult daughter campaigned for the case to be investigated. In court she was praised by the judge who said she had pursued justice in this case for herself and her mother, doggedly and with determination. The judge said the authorities, including police and social services, had been told of the offence in the 1970s, but felt brushing it under the carpet was the way to handle the accusation. He said a harrowing note from social services at the time showed the victims mother immediately disowned her after discovering she was pregnant. The child was placed into adoption with a family of a different ethnic background, the judge added. Judge Hurst said the victims daughter, who only discovered the truth when her files were released to her on her 18th birthday, met many closed doors, and essentially she had to persuade her mother to relive the trauma to get a successful prosecution. Pursuit of justice must be commended and I do commend her for taking those steps, and I can only encourage others to do the same, the judge said. A powerful victim impact statement on behalf of Bennetts victim was read in court, in which she remembered being told to say nothing, adding: I knew no-one would care or believe me. She was told to go back to school as normal immediately after the birth. I had no support and was scared I was left to deal with it alone, she said. To be raped, pregnant and give birth was traumatic and horrendous for me. People told me how disgusting I was, being pregnant as a child. I was carrying his shame, although for me, the shame was also mine. Bennetts daughter read her own impact statement in court, telling him as he sat yards away in the dock: Carvel Bennett, you have caused total carnage. Your act of violence decimated any potential relationship between my birth mother and I because you chose to rape a child. At times emotional, she charted the years of upset after his crime. Addressing Bennett, wearing glasses and a mask, and leaning forward with his left hand to his ear, she told him he had evaded justice for years. You have got to have a family life, she said. You had the opportunity to get married, have children, live with those children and watch them grow up. She spoke of the devastation her mother must have felt at being separated from her daughter in hospital, and how another bond and attachment was broken a few months later when she herself was moved from foster care to adoption. The victims daughter also spoke of times spent wondering who I looked like, why I wasnt with my birth mother, why hadnt I been wanted with no one to share those feelings with. She said: Because you chose to rape a child I have had my birth identity stolen from me on my maternal and paternal sides. What has been passed down to me is intergenerational trauma a family heirloom Id rather not have. She spoke of making the horrifying discovery about her background, at the age of 18, and to know that I am, for some, the embodiment of one of the worst things that could happen to someone. But she added: I am more than evidence, I am more than a witness, I am more than a product of rape. I am not your shame and I will not carry the shame and horror of what you chose to do. Speaking afterwards, the victims daughter, who cannot be identified to protect her mothers identity, said she was pleased and relieved, adding it should not have taken more than 40 years for a child rapist to be away from children in Birmingham.

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A high-risk abuser has been jailed for hanging around a seafront play park and leering at the children inside it.

Gary Loftus also made friends with a family and bought sweets for their six-year-old child, before visiting another seaside resort with them.

He has a history of child abuse dating back 35 years and has served a string of jail sentences either for molesting children or flouting orders put in place to protect them.

He was subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) which banned him from play areas and from befriending families with young children.

Loftus, of Wellesley Road, Torquay, admitted two counts of breaching an SHPO and was jailed for 16 months by Judge Timothy Rose at Exeter Crown Court.

Mr Ian Graham, prosecuting, said the 67-year-old had befriended a family in December 2019 and visited an arcade in Exmouth with them.

He then went to their Taunton home in June 2020 and bought sweets for their six-year-old daughter.

Three months later, he was arrested after being seen walking around the outside of a play area at Paignton seafront that was full of young children.

He spent nearly an hour walking around the park on the Esplanade, appearing to touch himself, and was reported to the police.

He later accepted he was gaining sexual gratification by looking at the children.

Gary Loftus has previous convictions for 19 offences and was jailed in 1989 for indecent assault, in 1993 for gross indecency and in 2002 for breaking an order to stay away from a child.

He has been jailed twice for breaking a Sexual Offences Prevention Order imposed in 2009, which was updated to an SHPO by the time he was jailed in August 2018 for ingratiating himself with a single mother in Teignmouth without telling her about his past.

He had only been out of jail for less than a year after being imprisoned for similar offences in Teignmouth when he breached the SHPO again in December 2019.

Judge Rose told him: "It is the assessment of the probation service that you pose a high risk of causing serious harm to children.

"When you cultivated friendship with families with young children, you knew who you were and what you should and should not be doing. When you went to the play area, you put yourself in that position.

"You have done it before and were doing it again. There was an element of a grooming situation where you could get gratification from the presence of a child, even if it was not possible to act on it."

The judge went on to say: "Imagine the reaction of the mother on hearing that the man who was hanging around her six-year-old is actually a sex offender with multiple convictions.

"The parents of the children in the play area would be appalled to know that a sex offender had stopped a while to look at their children because that is what he wanted to do.

"You know what you have done and here you are doing it all over again."

Mr Herc Ashworth, defending, said there had never been any danger of any physical offences against a child because Loftus had never been left alone with one. All his contact with children was brief.

He said he remains committed to tackling his behaviour and suffers from illnesses that will make his time in prison very difficult for him.

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Peter Phillips-Jones had 2,820 indecent images on his electronic devices.

These included a mix of photos and videos ranging from category A - the most serious - to category C.

Prosecution barrister, Puneet Grewal, told how the veterinary technician, of Hayter Gardens in Romsey, used a website called TalkwithStranger.

She also described how the 59-year-old would receive, download and share images of children with other users.

However, he denied "chatting" about child abuse, the court heard.

Ms Grewal said that matters came to light on May 31 last year when police visited his home.

It was suggested that he had been uploading indecent images to the internet.

Asked if he was responsible, he said yes.

Appearing before Southampton Crown Court, he pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children.

The offences happened between 2016 and 2020

Phillips-Jones, who was unrepresented and who has no previous convictions, wept while sitting in the dock.

Judge Gary Burrell QC asked him a series of questions and allowed him to address the court.

Asked why he looked at the images, he said: "I was just playing on my computer. I was lonely. I was on my own. That was the reason why."

When the judge pointed out that there were more than a thousand images, Phillips-Jones said he was not very "computer literate" and that some of the files could have been duplicated.

He even said: "I have never liked the internet."

The defendant, who once worked as a science technician, said "intrigue" triggered his motivation to look at the photos.

He denied being sexually attracted to children.

He added: "I did not look at them consistently or go to look at them all the time".

Judge Burrell gave him a 24-month community order to include up to 40 rehabilitation activity days.

He must register as a sex offender for five years.

Description

A paedophile who sent a fake account naked pictures of himself has been jailed.

Darryl Jenkins aged 39 from Mevagissey appeared at Truro Crown Court today (July 20).

Jenkins pleaded guilty to attempting sexual communication with a child and attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.

Prosecuting, Daniel Pawson-Pounds, said the defendant believed he was communicating with a real child.

However, he was actually speaking to a fake account named set up by an online child protection group called the Guardian Angels.

He explained Jenkins first met the 'girl' on the dating website Mingle2.

She informed the defendant that she was 14-years-old and he told her he was 37.

Jenkins then asked to continue their conversation on WhatsApp and asked for her telephone number.

Mr Pawson-Pounds said: "For the first few days of a 13-day period, there was what can be described as classic grooming activity, building up the confidence of the person he believed to be the child, asking about her daily events and the like."

However, he said: "At a certain stage in three or four days from the start of those chats, the communications became increasingly sexualised and he told her he would like to date her and repeatedly asked for a selfie photograph and said he liked cute little teens."

Mr Pawson-Pounds said he then sent photographs of himself naked, although his penis was covered with bedding.

He then asked the 'girl' to send him photographs of herself in her pyjamas and sent a photograph of his erect penis to her.

He made repeated requests for her to engage with him on video chat, which she rebuffed.

Mr Pawson-Pounds said Jenkins then told her he was aroused and wanted her to give him a 'helping hand'.

When she asked what he meant, he gave graphic details about what he wanted her to do to him.

He sent her videos of woman performing oral sex on men, Mr Pawson-Pounds said Jenkins did this 'in a way of teaching her'.

Jenkins also tried to incite the 'girl' to masturbate and tell him about what she was doing.

The court heard how he repeatedly asked her to keep their conversations secret and on one occasion instructed her to delete the messages and images he sent her.

He also invited her to come to his house and sleep with him and said she could tell her mum she was staying at a friend's house.

Mr Pawson-Pounds said Jenkins grew suspicious that she may be a decoy, but despite her refusal to engage in video chats or send any videos, it didn't "dampen his enthusiasm".

Instead he invited her to have a shower with him and said he wanted her to be his girlfriend.

The court heard how the defendant was arrested at his home in Mevagissey after the paedophile hunters appeared at his door.

Defending, Jon Holmes, said the case had been waiting 20 months to come to court.

He said: "His (Jenkin's) life has not been, and some may say it shouldn't be, but it hasn't been easy in that time because of what's happened as a result of the paedophile hunters and what's happened in his community."

Mr Holmes said Jenkins has been 'locked down' during lockdown and dare not go outside.

He said: "It's been punishment for him already, in no way does he want me to put anything forward that mitigates his behaviour."

He added: "He's a man who has a family, you'll note he has two small children.

"His ex partner is aware of the situation, he only sees them on a supervised basis."

He said that will continue despite what's happened.

Mr Holmes said: "He appreciates he's very fortunate and others may not have done that."

Judge Simon Carr, said to Jenkins: "You've pleaded guilty I accept at the first possible opportunity to attempted sexual communication with a child and attempting to incite a child to commit sexual acts.

"You made contact with her online, from the very beginning she indicated and did so on repeated occasions that she was 14-years-old.

"You not only accepted that but referred to it in the exchanges I've seen.

"You have your true age at the time of 37, an age gap of 23 years.

"Initially there was some classic grooming where you showed interest in her life, what she was doing and the problems she faced.

"But over a very short period of time that became sexualised.

"Although the period of time in which you were in communication with the person you thought was 14-years-old was relatively short, the level of communication was high.

"You were asking her to send naked pictures and sexualised pictures of herself to you.

"You're sending naked pictures of yourself to her , you sent her adult pornography being a particularly aggravating feature, you said to teach her how to perform sexual acts when you met.

"You were telling her not to tell anyone what was happening and to delete the images that had been sent.

"You repeatedly incited her to masturbate herself.

"It only stopped because those responsible for setting up the false site attended your address and the police were called.

"There was no indication it would have stopped but for that intervention."

Judge Carr said Jenkins was previously a man of "good character" and he admitted the offences from the beginning which he will receive credit for.

He also said that a mental health treatment report indicated that Jenkins suffers from severe depression, anxiety and psychological distress.

However, he noted that the report was based on a "self-reporting exercise" and despite him believing it to be true, it does not mitigate the offences.

Judge Carr sentenced Jenkins to two and a half years in prison, and said the offences were so serious a suspended sentence would not be appropriate.

He was also placed on the sex offenders register for life and a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) was made to restrict Jenkins access to children and the internet.

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A MAN has admitted making nearly 100 indecent images of children Michael Swidenbank was said to have made 93 indecent images between October 15 2017 and July 9 2020. The 60-year-old, of Lawson Street in Barrow, admitted three charges related to the images, alleged to have been made in Kendal. They include seven of the most serious category A photos. The defendant was convicted of the offences when he appeared in front of South Cumbria Magistrates' Court.

Description

A violent rapist who would "degrade" women "for his own sadistic pleasure" has been jailed for 17 years. Bradley Dawes, 26, of Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, was found guilty in March of rape and admitted four counts of assault. He raped and beat one victim and during an attack on his second victim he punched her about 10 times. Recorder Jason Macadam told Nottingham Crown Court Dawes was "motivated by his hostility towards women". Dawes, of Mansfield Street, also previously admitted intimidating a witness, harassment and sexual assault. The court heard Dawes had a history of violence towards women, including four previous convictions for 10 crimes in total. The hearing was told that in December 2018 Dawes hit a woman a number of times, leaving her with a black eye and bruised ribs. He also strangled her and "twisted her neck like a chicken and continued to hit her", the court heard. On New Year's Day, he beat her again, and the next morning "raped her as a form of punishment". She was left with a broken nose and tooth, and he then took her out to "show off her injuries" to his brother and a friend, the court was told. 'Intimidated and worthless' In a victim impact statement, the woman, who cannot be identified, said she still suffered flashbacks and described how Dawes had "ruined" her life. She said: "I still feel violated, intimidated and worthless because what of Bradley did to me." In October 2019, he attacked another woman by grabbing her by the neck and punching her five times to the head and face, leaving her with a bloody nose and black eye, the court heard. In another attack, he threw a boot at her and punched her about 10 times to the ribs, back and neck. He then told her to put make-up on as he needed to see his probation officer. Dawes also sent semi-naked photos of her to her brother, posted messages online threatening anyone who might take an interest in her, and threatened to set fire to her house. She left her home due to concerns for her safety, the court heard. The judge said his "conduct was to maximise distress" and was "motivated by your hostility towards women". 'Controlling bully' He added: "It is apparent from your antecedence you are a misogynist and take pleasure in other people's misery." He said Dawes "degraded" women "when alone or in the company of others... for your own sadistic pleasure". "In respect of both complainants, you engaged in continuous acts of violence, coercion or humiliation," the judge added. Det Con Donna Elliott, from Nottinghamshire Police, said: "Dawes is a violent, arrogant and controlling bully who terrorised two young women. His attitude throughout the investigation was appalling and I am delighted that he will now spend a very considerable period of time behind bars." She added the victims "showed enormous courage in coming forward and giving evidence". As well as being jailed for 17 years, Dawes was handed a restraining order and put on the sex offenders register for life. He will have to serve two-thirds of his sentence before he can be considered for parole.

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A PORT Glasgow man is facing charges of having indecent images of children and supplying class A drugs. Daniel McLaughlin, 24, is also accused of possession of bestiality pornography at his former home on Mary Street. Prosecutors say McLaughlin who now lives elsewhere in the town was concerned in the supply of MDMA (ecstasy). He is further accused of possession of cocaine, cannabis and the street valium drug etizolam. It is alleged that on various occasions between January and June last year McLaughlin took or permitted to be taken, or made, indecent photographs or pseudo photographs of children. A further charge claims that he had extreme pornographic images depicting in a realistic way bestiality. McLaughlin has pleaded not guilty to all of the indictment charges against him through lawyer Aidan Gallagher at a preliminary calling of the case at Greenock Sheriff Court. The matters are due to call again in November.

Description

A man forced his way into a woman's home and sexually assaulted her before laughing afterwards.

Lewis Trueman pretended to be looking for someone when he knocked on his victim's kitchen door in Wirral.

But the 33-year-old was really hoping his victim would have sex with him and refused to take no for an answer.

A judge today said Trueman tried to force his tongue into her mouth and then his hand down her underwear.

Liverpool Crown Court heard the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, heard a knock at her back door one evening.

She saw it was Trueman and opened the door halfway to see what he wanted, when he asked after a mutual acquaintance.

Frank Dillon, prosecuting, said Trueman pushed the door open, forced his way in and tried to kiss the "shocked" victim.

She pushed him away and he again tried to kiss her, putting his hands around her waist, but she told him to get out.

The court heard Trueman responded: "Your fella is cheating on you, so why can't you do it with me?"

Mr Dillon said: "He tried to kiss her again and tried to force his tongue into her mouth.

"He then turned her around so that her back was against his front and tried to put one of his hands down the front of her clothes, inside her clothing.

"He only managed to get his hand around her waistband area before she pushed him away and shouted at him to leave, which he eventually did.

"However, he then said to her that he would return the following day and tell her partner that she had slept with him."

Trueman got on a bike and rode off, before the woman told a neighbour she had been sexually assaulted, and they called the police.

The victim was left with soreness in her arms, from when she had tried to get free.

Trueman was arrested and claimed he went to her home to ask if she had seen someone, before they hugged and he kissed her on the cheek.

He denied that anything happened that he would describe as sexual, until he was asked if his DNA would be on her clothing.

The court heard Trueman then admitted he had put his hand down the front of the woman's trousers, but not her underwear.

Mr Dillon said: "He said he had consumed six cans of Stella prior to the incident. It is right to say he made derogatory remarks about the victim's physical appearance."

Trueman, of Old Wood, Pensby, denied any wrongdoing and his victim was cross-examined on video ahead of a trial, before he admitted sexual assault.

In a victim personal statement, the woman said she remembered telling Trueman to stop and felt really frightened.

She described previously being happy in the home but afterwards felt unsafe and scared.

Mr Dillon said she separated from her boyfriend, "who couldn't deal with the facts of what happened to her", suffered panic attacks, felt suicidal and experienced financial difficulties as a result of moving home.

The court heard she said: "He's taken everything I had."

Trueman has 19 previous convictions for 49 offences, mainly for vehicle theft, and was last convicted in 2012 of producing cannabis.

Simon Mintz, defending, said a pre-sentence report set out Trueman's "disadvantaged start in life", which included going into care at the age of 12 in a residential school in Cumbria.

He said Trueman's mum "had her own demons", his client suffered from "severe homesickness", and later as an adult lost custody of his own children "no doubt because of the chaotic lifestyle he led".

Mr Mintz said: "One of the results of this disadvantage - this isn't an excuse and isn't put forward as one - is he seems to have missed out on any enlightenment so far as the respect that's due to women and their autonomy."

He added: "The author of the pre-sentence report encapsulates his frame of mind very well when she says he accepts responsibility for this offence, but lacks insight into the consequences of his behaviour.

"She describes his distorted thinking in relation to women, using the phrase which applies in this case of male privilege."

Mr Mintz said the unemployed ex-factory worker, who lives alone with his girlfriend, had stayed out of trouble since.

Judge Gary Woodhall said Trueman pretended he was looking for someone before he forced his way into the home, attempted to kiss the woman and tried to put one of his hands "inside her underwear", but got no further than inside her waistband.

He said Trueman eventually left "laughing", but not before he threatened to lie to her boyfriend that they had slept together.

The judge said the woman moved property because "she couldn't eradicate the memories of what you had done to her in her home".

He said: "She says what you did to her is with her all the time and you have ruined her life.

"You must understand that violating someone in the intimate way you did inside their home causes long lasting damage and harm."

The judge said in a pre-sentence report Trueman made denials and "disparaging remarks" about his victim, but "admitted finally when you went to that property you were hoping to have sex with her".

He said: "You are and were only focused on your own needs and desires."

Judge Woodhall jailed Trueman for two and a half years, told him to sign on the Sex Offenders Register for life, and made a five-year restraining order.

Description

A sexual "predator" who abused four schoolgirls has been given a substantial jail sentence.

Gareth Berry was convicted by a Leicester Crown Court jury, of 10 counts of sexual assaults upon the girls.

But only after the 39-year-old defendant had denied the offences and accused his victims of lying - leading to a trial.

Sentencing, Judge Robert Brown said: "What you did to these four young girls is been devastating for them.

"Over a period of five years, between 2011 and 2016, you took advantage of them.

"You used grooming behaviour.

"By having a trial you required all four of your victims to re-live the events.

"You denied the allegations and accused every one of them of making up those allegations and there's no hint of remorse as you stand before me now - I presume you are still in denial."

Andrew Howarth, prosecuting, all the victims were left traumatised by what happened to them in separate events in Leicester and Northampton.

The offences came to light In 2016 when two victims living in Northampton reported the abuse to police and an investigation began. As a result of inquires, two victims living in Leicester identified themselves to officers from the force's Child Abuse Investigation Unit (CAIU) and said they too had been sexually abused by Berry.

In victim impact statements read out by the prosecutor prior to sentencing, two complainants described suffering flashbacks, depression, anxiety, loss of trust and feeling isolated. One of them had self-harmed.

A third complainant went into the witness box to face her abuser and tell the court how her mental health had suffered.

She wept as she said: "I tried to take my life more than once, I felt it was my fault.

"I still have nightmares, flashbacks and thoughts to kill myself."

The fourth victim did not wish to make a personal impact statement, the court was told.

The judge told the victims' parents and two of the complainants, who attended the sentencing: "You are the victims and you've done nothing wrong at all, at any stage.

"He's a predator, he sought you out in moments of vulnerability - you're in no way to blame.

"It takes real courage to stand up and say what needs to be said and I admire you for it.

"You know that all 12 jurors believed you and every one of those guilty verdicts was unanimous."

He said he accepted that Berry, of Houldsworth Crescent, Coventry, had not previously been prosecuted of matters involving sex offending.

Helen Johnson, mitigating, said: "This is a case that has been delayed which has affected everybody involved and that includes Mr Berry, who was arrested at the beginning of 2017 and was under investigation for two years before being charged.

"He had four trial dates before actually getting a trial and the delay is a justification for a reduction in the sentence."

Judge Brown said the delay was also partly due to the pandemic.

Berry was jailed for 14 years with an additional one year licence period.

He was convicted of:

- Six counts of sexually assaulting a child under 13

- Three counts of sexual activity with a child

- One count of assaulting a child under 13 by penetration

He was placed on an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and will have to enlist on a sex offender register for life.

Afterwards, one of the investigating officers, Detective Raj Pahal, said: "All four victims were children when Berry began abusing them.

"He took advantage of them for his own sexual gratification in the belief that they wouldn't tell anyone about what he was doing.

"However, as they got older they realised what had happened and reported his crimes to police.

"I hope the fact that he has been convicted of his crimes – and is now serving a significant custodial sentence – will provide some reassurance and allow them to begin to move on with their lives."

Description

A West Sussex man has been sentenced for sexual offences against a young girl.

Richard Tallis, 54, of Bolsover Road, West Tarring, appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday 30 July, having pleaded guilty at a previous hearing to six counts of sexual assaults in the Chichester area on a girl aged under 13, known to him, between seven and 15 years ago.

Tallis was sentenced to a total of 17 and a half years.

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

The prosecution, authorised by the CPS, followed an investigation by West Sussex Safeguarding detectives, who worked with local authority childrens' services to ensure that no children were at any further risk.

Detective Constable Angela De Vivo of the West Sussex Safeguarding Investigations Unit said; "Tallis had systematically abused this very young girl over several years, causing her deep and lasting distress. Only three years ago did she feel strong enough to come forward and report what had happened to her.

"We admire her courage and resolution in doing so and in supporting our investigation all the way, and in being ready to give evidence if needed.

"Please contact us at any time if you or anyone you know has been the victim of such offences. We will always investigate, and can arrange for you to have expert support and advice."

Description

A man who sexually assaulted young children and was actively seeking opportunities to offend again has been convicted of 14 counts of child sexual abuse after a National Crime Agency investigation.

Keats Harvey, a 24-year-old American national, groomed and sexually assaulted four children, the youngest of whom was a toddler.

He was arrested by NCA officers at his home in West Wittering, Chichester, in May 2020.

Harvey had a catalogue of almost 9,000 indecent images of children and 630 prohibited images on his electronic devices, which he had collated between 2015-2020. Of those were 860 category A images (the most severe), 1,290 category B and 6,984 category C.

The NCA uncovered a large number of chat logs and emails in which he had sent and received these images from other likeminded individuals, as well as admitting to having molested three young children.

Investigators subsequently identified four children who had been abused by Harvey, all of whom were under ten-years-old and have since been safeguarded.

He met his victims through other adults he knew and assaulted one of the children whilst at a party.

Harvey made multiple further attempts to meet and abuse children by befriending vulnerable adults with kids and applying for jobs at places where we knew he would have access to children, including hospitals and nurseries.

Through their investigation into Harvey, NCA officers identified another American national they suspected had sexually abused an eleven-year-old boy.

Intelligence was shared with US authorities based in Seattle and the man, a teacher, was arrested and the child safeguarded.

Yesterday (29/07/2021) at Hove Crown Court Harvey was found guilty of six counts of possessing indecent images of children (categories A-C), two counts of possessing prohibited images, two counts of taking and one of distributing an indecent photo of a child, two counts of assaulting a child under 13 by touching, and meeting a girl under 16 following grooming.

He will be sentenced at the same court on 8 October 2021.

Peter Stevens, Branch Commander at the NCA, said: "Keats Harvey was conducting very serious offending, not just online but by physically abusing young children.

"On top of this, he was actively trying to befriend adults who had children and had researched jobs on the internet, at hospitals and nurseries, all with the aim of gaining access to children.

"In my view he is an offender whose behaviour was escalating in terms of the severity of the offending he was trying to commit.

"Prosecuting individuals like Harvey who pose a sexual risk to children is a priority for the NCA. My team worked tirelessly, with support from the Crown Prosecution Service, analysing reams of particularly disturbing material to build the case against him and ensure he would face justice.

"We also worked closely with policing partners to identify offenders and safeguard victims. In this case, Sussex and Hampshire Police provided significant support to the investigation."

Description

A pervert who secretly filmed victims showering kept 14 devices a secret from police.

Stanley Harris was previously jailed after installing a hidden camera in his bathroom and spying on a child, a young woman and their mum.

The 72-year-old's seedy videos were discovered when he took his laptop to a computer repair shop in Bebington in 2016.

After being asked to transfer data, a technician spotted an indecent video of a child having a shower and police later found one category A image and two category C images.

Harris was locked up for 13 months and ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.

He was also made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), banning him from deleting his internet history and meaning he has to register any devices that can connect to the internet with police.

But Harris was hauled back to court today after police discovered 14 secret devices during a routine visit to his home on June 16 this year.

Angela Blackmore, prosecuting at Wirral Magistrates' Court, said when he was asked about any devices that could connect to the internet he handed over a mobile phone, which only had internet history available for that day.

Ms Blackmore said: "Officers asked if he had deleted the internet history and he indicated he had."

He was asked if he had any other devices, to which he replied "no", but officers saw a laptop and when asked again Harris "produced a second mobile phone".

Harris was arrested and a search of his home revealed he kept a total of 14 unregistered devices.

Harris has no other previous convictions, other than that in 2017 when he admitted two counts of downloading, one of taking and one of possessing indecent images of children, and voyeurism.

Liverpool Crown Court heard he had kept a 12-minute video of a girl having a shower and a 15-minute video of a young woman having a shower, while another adult female undressed.

Catherine Higham, defending today, said Harris has pleaded guilty to the breaches at the earliest opportunity.

She said custody would have a "detrimental impact" on Harris due to his age and health problems, which include arthritis.

Ms Higham said there had been "four years of compliance" and stressed he was not in possession of other indecent images.

Harris, of Devonshire Road, Oxton, admitted two counts of breaching the SHPO on June 16 this year.

Chair Magistrate Chamberlain, sentencing, said: "Mr Harris we believe these offences warrant an immediate custodial sentence and we believe this because you deliberately and knowingly breached your Sexual Harm Prevention Order by deleting internet history prior to the day in question and had in your possession 14 unregistered devices."

Harris was jailed for 18 weeks and ordered to pay a 128 victim surcharge.

The devices were forfeited and destroyed.