Latest Offenders

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Released on 7 June 2022 A PAEDOPHILE who targeted children online has been jailed for six years. Daniel Dean, 23, of Symonds Yat, pleaded guilty to a string of child sexual offences committed online and was sentenced at Hereford Crown Court last week. He was first arrested in April 2016 by Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police officers who are part of Operation Safenet, which targets suspected paedophiles operating online. Dean was then re-arrested in July 2016 after officers discovered evidence on his computer and devices, which showed he had been engaging with children on a number of internet platforms, and inciting them to commit sexual offences. A large collection of indecent images of children was also found. Detective Inspector Gavin Kinrade said: "This has been a complex investigation involving multiple victims and a significant volume of digital media, which officers have painstakingly had to view in order to identify and safeguard victims. "I would like to thank the many victims who have bravely come forward and helped throughout the process. Their assistance has been an essential part of bringing this case before the courts." Dean pleaded guilty to the following charges: 13 counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity; two counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity; two counts of inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity; six counts of making indecent photographs of a child; one count of distributing an indecent photograph of a child; and one count of voyeurism. DI Kinrade added: "Daniel Dean used false personas on the internet to engage with children and incite them to commit offences for his own gratification. On numerous occasions he threatened to expose images and videos of the children if they refused to carry out his demands. "Many of the victims will have been at home when offences were committed, and their parents no doubt believed they were safe. "I'd like to take this opportunity to urge parents and guardians to make sure they have a full, frank discussion with their children about how to protect themselves online. There are some great resources out there to help - from the NSPCC, and from Childline, for example." Dean was sentenced to six years in prison, and will be on licence for four years when eventually released. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life, and has been given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order. To report a crime like this, phone the police non-emergency number 101. Always call 999 in an emergency. If you'd like to give information without leaving your name or identifying details, phone the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or go to crimestoppers-uk.org.

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A FORMER teacher at a Hampshire school has been jailed for 12 years for child sex offences.

Ian Atkinson taught at St Neots Preparatory School, in Eversley, Hook, and was jailed on Wednesday (January 10) after being found guilty of nine offences following a six-day trial at Bradford Crown Court.

The offences include six charges of indecent assault on a boy, one charge of inciting a boy to commit an act of gross indecency with him, and two of making (downloading) indecent images of children.

Four of the offences took place in Hampshire. The contact offences occurred in the 1990s and 2000s and the indecent images were discovered in 2015 when officers seized the 59 year old's laptop following his arrest.

Atkinson, of Brompton on Regis, Somerset was also placed on the sex offenders register for life and issued with a sexual harm prevention order.

Following sentencing, investigating officer, Detective Constable Fiona Ayre of North Yorkshire Police, said: "Appallingly, Atkinson used his position of trust to abuse young boys for his own sexual gratification and the sentence reflects the serious and protracted nature of his offending.

"I praise the victims for having the courage to relive their ordeals in court and I hope the outcome can help them to move forward.

"I would reassure any victim of such offences that if they should not hesitate in coming forward to the police. It doesn't matter when the abuse happened, whether it's happening now or occurred 50 years ago.

"Even if it is not possible to put an offender before the courts, it's important that you are offered the support and advice that is available. Your information could also help to protect other victims and help the police form a wider picture of offending.

"We appreciate that telling the police what has happened takes courage. It is not easy reliving such distressing situations. We understand this and have specially trained officers who will guide you through the process as well as signposting you to other agencies who can help you.

"Child sexual abuse is a foremost priority for the police and all reports will be fully investigated. Please do not suffer alone, if you have been abused, please report it."

An NSPCC spokesperson added: "This was every parent's worst nightmare; an awful betrayal of trust in which Atkinson used his position to abuse his young victims for his own twisted gratification.

"The vulnerable boys this sick predator claimed to be helping have had their childhoods ruined and abuse such as this can last a lifetime in its horrifying impact.

"We hope all Atkinson's victims receive the support they need to overcome their awful childhood ordeals in settings that should have been safe and secure havens."

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Three men who forced a 14-year-old girl into prostitution and "plied her with drugs" have been sentenced for sexual exploitation offences.

Jake Cairns, 21, was sentenced to eight years, while Brandon Sharples, 20, and Jack McInally, 21, were given five years in prison.

The men took explicit photos of the teenager and posted an advert of her on an escort site, claiming she was 18.

The men, all from Coventry, were found guilty of the offences in November.

The girl was held at an address in Coventry for five days and a missing person inquiry was launched when she disappeared from a relative's home on 8 June 2015.

For three days men visited the property and paid for sex with the teenager; West Midlands Police believe about 20 men were forced on her.

On 13 June 2015, police raided the house and rescued her. She was found dressed only in her underwear and trying to climb out of a first floor window.

Cairns, of Cheveral Avenue in Radford, Sharples, 20, of Wyley Road in Radford and McInally, 21, of no fixed address, were arrested on suspicion of child abduction.

'Hellish ordeal'

DNA discovered on a duvet in a room where the girl was held was found to have come from five people, including Cairns.

All three men were sentenced for arranging or facilitating the sexual exploitation of a child and facilitating the sexual exploitation of a child.

Cairns was additionally charged with distributing indecent photographs of a child.

The trio were also given 10-year sexual harm prevention orders and ordered to sign on to the sex offenders register for life.

An NSPCC spokesperson said: "These predators callously exploited a vulnerable teenage girl and forced her to endure a hellish ordeal.

"These sentences show that victims of child sexual abuse can get justice and highlight the importance of reporting concerns that a child or young person is being sexually exploited."

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A former West Midlands Police constable and ex-serviceman who downloaded sickening child pornography films has escaped going to jail.

Father-of-two James Duffield, who told police he had been sexually assaulted as a child, was found to have pictures of children as young as four on his laptop.

Duffield, 34, from Solihull, had previously admitted three charges of making indecent images.

He was handed a 12-month suspended sentence.

Philip Brunt, prosecuting at Birmingham Crown Court, said Duffield downloaded 106 movies of categories A, B and C.

“The police received information that an IP address had been downloading indecent images,” he said.

“As a result, a warrant was issued to attend and search that address on August 23 last year.

“They attended in the early hours of the morning, knocked on the door and went inside.

“They recovered a large number of internet-enabled devices.

“In particular they were interested in two laptop computers.

“It was on the laptop computers that the indecent images were found.

“There is also evidence on the computers of various search terms such as ‘Paedo Mum’.”

Mr Brunt said the images had been accessed between December and April 2015.

When quizzed, Duffield – who quit as a policeman before he was sentenced – initially said he had downloaded films and other items but never knowingly indecent images.

But he later made a full confession.

Mr Brunt said: “He commented in that interview that he himself had been abused as a child and that led, in some part, to his accessing the images.

“He did make revelations that were investigated by the local police force but that investigation led nowhere.”

Mr Brunt said the ages of the children who were abused ranged from four to ten and the longest movie was 17 minutes.

Passing sentence, Judge Simon Drew QC said: “You had a career in the services and also in the police force and, at the time of the commission, of these offences you were a serving police officer.

“You are one of the least people one would expect to be before the court for offences of this sort.

“The real gravamen of these offences is not your conduct but the impact on those who appear in those images.”

But the judge accepted the future risk he posed was relatively low.

Adrian Keeling QC, defending, said: “Duffield was abused when he was younger.

“He made no complaint at the time and therefore received no help or assistance.

“The first time he came cross any of these images was on file sharing software and it chimed with what happened to him.

“He has already suffered quite a heavy degree of punishment.

“First he had lost his good name and secondly he has lost his job.

“He resigned immediately.

“That has caused financial strains and pressures upon his family which hurt him deeply.”

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imgbb Photo not received Released Monday 20th June 2022 An Eastbourne man has been jailed for four years for rape. Paul Simon Hearn, 44, a cleaner, of St Anthonys Avenue, was sentenced at Hove Crown Court on Thursday December 21. Hearn had pleaded not guilty but was convicted by a jury. He was also sentenced to six months imprisonment having been convicted of harassment causing fear of violence against a woman. The six-month sentence will run consecutively to the four-year sentence. Hearn had pleaded not guilty to all offences. The case followed an investigation by detectives from the East Sussex Safeguarding Investigations Unit.

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A LONG-SERVING paramedic and Scout volunteer allegedly posed as his 'widowed wife' online to find a young girl to abuse.

John Pattison was on leave after being injured working for the South Central Ambulance Service when he began using chatrooms to discuss abusing children, prosecutors said.

He began speaking with someone he believed was the father of a girl, but was in fact an undercover police officer, and arranged to meet at a branch of Sainsbury's, it was heard.

When he was arrested, his laptop and phone were seized. Indecent images of children were discovered.

Pattison, of Mallow Close in Christchurch, admitted nine counts of possessing indecent photographs of a child and one of possessing an extreme pornographic image.

The defendant, who previously helped at the 49th Bournemouth Air Scouts, appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court for sentence on Monday.

Rob Welling, prosecuting, said: "The defendant engaged with an undercover police officer looking for those who would be attracted to meeting with young children.

"There was chat between him and this officer.

"It resulted in the defendant going to Sainsbury's to meet a man he believed was called John, John's wife and John's young daughter."

Mr Welling said Pattison and 'John' had discussed their desire to abuse children.

"There was conversation by the defendant, who was pretending to be his widowed wife - something he had done on previous occasions," Mr Welling said.

"On previous occasions, he had been 'let down'."

Pattison was not charged in relation to the offences relating to 'John'.

During police interview, the defendant, 44, told police the images found on his devices had been sent to him by others.

He did not find images of abuse "sexually alluring" and had tried, on several occasions, to report the image as abuse "to bring those who sent it to justice", he said.

Nick Robinson, mitigating, said Pattison has no previous offences.

"He is deeply ashamed and has expressed remorse," Mr Robinson said.

"He accepts how serious this is. He is demonstrably ashamed and incredibly emotional."

Judge Brian Forster QC told the defendant: "Following injury in the course of your duties, you have been at home, possibly with too much time to fill.

"You have become, in a sense, addicted to going to the chatroom that has brought about this appearance before the court today."

Pattison, who clutched his chest and shook during the hearing, covered his face as Judge Forster said he still had the support of family.

"You are fortunate," the judge said.

"I have been able to consider not only the content of the pre-sentence report, but the references which have been provided to me.

"They speak of this being totally out of character."

Pattison was sentenced to a three-year community order with a 60-day sex offenders programme. He will also be the subject of a sexual harm prevention order, and must comply with notification requirements for five years.

A spokesperson from The Scout Association said: "The association is aware of the court proceedings involving John Pattison and has co-operated fully with the statutory agencies throughout this investigation.

"It is appropriate that he has pleaded guilty and will be suitably punished for his crimes. Pattison was suspended from all involvement with the Scout Movement as soon as we were made aware of the investigation.

"Pattison will never be allowed to volunteer with us again. It has been confirmed to us by the relevant authorities that none of Pattison victims in this case were Scouts and his offences have no connection to Scouting."

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Jon Venables, one of the killers of toddler James Bulger nearly 25 years ago, has been charged over indecent images of children. The 35-year-old, who served eight years for the murder of James, aged two, in 1993, was recalled to prison last year. He and Robert Thompson abducted, tortured and killed the toddler in Liverpool when they were both aged 10. They were released on licence in 2001, meaning they can be recalled to jail at any time if they breach the conditions. Both were given new identities and reporting restrictions mean that Venables' current name, or anything else that could lead to his identification, will remain secret when his case is heard

Railway line

On 12 February 1993, James - just a few weeks short of his third birthday - was reported missing by his mother from outside a butcher's shop in the New Strand Shopping Centre in Bootle. CCTV images showed him being lured away by Venables and Thompson. His body was found two days later on a railway line. He had been partially stripped and beaten to death with bricks and a metal bar. Thompson and Venables were arrested and charged within days and convicted in November of the same year at Preston Crown Court. In 2001, the pair were released on licence from secure children's homes - and granted lifelong anonymity with new identities. In September 2008, Venables was arrested on suspicion of affray after a drunken brawl and was given a formal warning by the probation service for breaching the good behaviour terms of his licence. Later the same year he was cautioned for possession of cocaine after he was found with a small amount of the Class A drug. And in 2010, Venables was sent back to jail for two years after pleading guilty to charges of downloading and distributing indecent images of children and breaching his parole conditions by visiting Merseyside. He was released again in 2013 with a second new identity.

'Perverted psychopath'

When news of the 35-year-old's latest arrest emerged last year, James's mother Denise Fergus said: "Venables has now proved beyond any doubt what a vile, perverted psychopath he has always been." The Attorney General launched an investigation into claims his identity had been revealed on social media. In 2013, two men who posted images they claimed were of Venables and Thompson were given nine-month sentences, suspended for 15 months. Breaking the injunction that bans identifying the pair carries a punishment of up to two years in prison. A CPS spokesman said: "The man formerly known as Jon Venables has been charged with offences relating to indecent images of children. "In order that justice can be done, no further details are being released at this stage and the proceedings are subject to reporting restrictions."

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A Brighton pub and club owner has begun a three-year prison sentence for a sexual offence against a vulnerable 17-year-old girl from Brighton on his yacht in Majorca two years ago.

Kenneth McGrath, 61, a company director from St Martins Place, Brighton, was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court on November 30 after being convicted on November 10 of paying for the sexual services of a child, Sussex Police said.

He was acquitted of two sexual assault charges against the same girl.

Police stated he will be a registered sex offender for life and received a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) lasting until further court order.

The SHPO bans him from providing massage services, taking images of under-18 girls without parental or guardian permission, and any employment involving contact with under-18 girls. He is also prohibited from possessing digital image-taking devices unless inspectable by police, and from contacting the victim.

In 2015, the girl was recommended by a mutual friend to McGrath, who sought a "girl friday" to work on his yacht in Majorca, hosting hen parties, police said.

However, officers reported no hen parties occurred; instead, McGrath exploited her isolation and vulnerability to coerce her into a sexual act and created a document purporting to show her willingness as part of her employment contract.

Detective Constable Melanie Wauchope said: “Ken McGrath exploited a balance of power between an employer and employee to control and manipulate a vulnerable young person into engaging in sexual activity. During the trial he tried to discredit her motives but clearly the jury did not believe him. We will always take seriously such reports and take action wherever possible.”

An NSPCC spokesperson said:

“McGrath has been shown to be a manipulative and calculating individual who exploited a vulnerable child for his own sexual gratification.

“It is flabbergasting that in a bid to cover his despicable actions he created a document suggesting his victim was a willing participant in her own abuse.

“We hope she has received all the support available to help her move forward with her life and that McGrath’s sentence gives her some form of closure, as well as protecting others.”

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A FORMER Dudley man wanted for historical sexual assaults has been found sleeping rough in a Cardiff park following a tip off. Matthew Perry, of no fixed address, had been charged with 11 counts of child sexual offences - including rape - after an investigation was launched following admissions to police from two young girls in 2014. But the unemployed 38-year-old failed to appear at his trial in September 2016 and a warrant was issued for his arrest. A nationwide search was launched jointly by West Midlands and Hertfordshire Police, after reported sightings of him sleeping rough in Borehamwood. A trial went ahead in his absence and he was found guilty on December 14 at Wolverhampton Crown Court. A tip off earlier this week finally led police to a Cardiff park and on Wednesday (December 20), he was jailed for 20 years followed by an extended licence period of five years. He will also remain on the Sex Offender Register for life. Detective Sergeant Kay Redfern, from the forces Public Protection Unit, said: "We are delighted that, with the assistance of the public and our colleagues in South Wales Police, we have removed a dangerous sex offender from our streets. We wish to thank everyone who contacted us with information that led to the capture of this man. "I hope this brings comfort to his victims who showed tremendous courage in coming forward and reporting their horrific experiences. "West Midlands Police has an excellent track record of bringing historical sex offenders to court and there is a raft of agencies we work with to assist survivors of sexual abuse on their journey to justice."

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A man with evil eyes who followed a woman into an underpass in the early hours and sexually attacked her has been jailed for six years and four months.

Judge Rhys Rowlands told attacker Llion Wyn Jones that it was the stuff of nightmares for young women and their families.

The victim, who was aged 20 at the time of the attack, had to give up work and told a court today in a victim impact statement that her life had changed completely following the incident in Bangor.

Jones, 43, of Ashton Terrace, Caernarfon, admitted false imprisonment with intent to commit a sexual offence, after a charge of attempted rape was dropped.

The court heard he grabbed her by the throat, tried to open her underclothing and went to open his own trousers during the attack in Penybryn Road.

But Jones victim kicked him as she feared she was going to lose consciousness, and was able to get away.

Jones laughed as he walked away, the court heard.

Judge Rowlands, sitting at Mold Crown Court, commended the victim for her behaviour from beginning to end.

Prosecuting barrister Elen Owen said that, in the early hours of September 10, the victim was walking home after a night out with friends.

Her boyfriend was due to meet her but she had set off earlier than planned.

As she approached the Skerries public house at the end of the high street, she saw the defendant for the first time, said Miss Owen.

She had never seen him before. He was walking ahead of her and she thought nothing of it initially.

However, she then realised that having turned off the street he was now behind her.

She was on the phone to her boyfriend at the time, told him her concerns and he tried to assure her there was nothing to worry about.

As they approached the underpass, which she described as a tunnel, she thought he was taking a different route so she proceeded into the tunnel, the court heard.

She wouldnt usually dream of going through the dark tunnel alone, said Miss Owen.

She then became aware that the defendant had rushed ahead of her and was glaring at her with - as she describes it - evil eyes.

The defendant threw the food he was carrying and grabbed her, pushing her against a wall, pressing his whole body against hers with all his weight.

Jones managed to turn her phone off while it was in her left hand, said Miss Owen.

He tried to force her down to the floor and the victim described how she was halfway down as his hand was trying to touch her everywhere all over her right side.

Jones tried to get into her clothing, grunting as he did so, and tried undoing his own trousers when he failed to open her clothing.

She shouted help and tried to push him away and kick him.

Jones hold on her throat got tighter and she described how she could not see anything, she couldnt breathe and no sound was coming out despite her trying to shout.

She punched Jones as hard as she could with her right hand to his jaw and he let go of her throat, said Miss Owen.

She managed to unlock her phone and told him her boyfriend was coming.

He was smirking and laughing before he walked away.

She could not move and just stood there gasping for breath, said Miss Owen.

Fortunately, her boyfriend then arrived at the scene.

Arrested and interviewed, Jones said he was very drunk, saw a girl wearing sexy clothing and decided to try his luck with her.

He claimed he asked her for a kiss and grabbed her breast and her buttocks.

In a statement, his victim said that, since the attack, she had difficulty sleeping, had nightmares and flashbacks, had lost her confidence, feared being alone and had to give up her employment.

Following the sentencing, PC John Evans, a victim liaison officer from North Wales Police's Amethyst team, said: "I hope this sentence goes some way to reassure the victim and echoes the words used by the judge that she demonstrated great strength of character in coming forward, standing up to the perpetrator and ensuring that justice was served.

"It should also serve as a warning to perpetrators that these types of crimes will not be tolerated within our community and will be investigated meticulously.

"It is important to reassure victims that North Wales Police will provide the appropriate specialist support to assist them through every stage of an investigation and throughout any subsequent court proceedings."

The Amethyst team provide specialist services to support victims and encourage anyone who has been the victim of a sexual offence to come forward.

If a victim does not feel ready to report to the police, services can be accessed through the confidential Amethyst SARC helpline on 0808 156 3658.

She was on the phone to her boyfriend at the time, told him her concerns and he tried to assure her there was nothing to worry about.

As they approached the underpass, which she described as a tunnel, she thought he was taking a different route so she proceeded into the tunnel, the court heard.

She wouldnt usually dream of going through the dark tunnel alone, said Miss Owen.

She then became aware that the defendant had rushed ahead of her and was glaring at her with - as she describes it - evil eyes.

The defendant threw the food he was carrying and grabbed her, pushing her against a wall, pressing his whole body against hers with all his weight.

Jones managed to turn her phone off while it was in her left hand, said Miss Owen.

He tried to force her down to the floor and the victim described how she was halfway down as his hand was trying to touch her everywhere all over her right side.

Jones tried to get into her clothing, grunting as he did so, and tried undoing his own trousers when he failed to open her clothing.

She shouted help and tried to push him away and kick him.

Jones hold on her throat got tighter and she described how she could not see anything, she couldnt breathe and no sound was coming out despite her trying to shout.

She punched Jones as hard as she could with her right hand to his jaw and he let go of her throat, said Miss Owen.

She managed to unlock her phone and told him her boyfriend was coming.

He was smirking and laughing before he walked away.

She could not move and just stood there gasping for breath, said Miss Owen.

Fortunately, her boyfriend then arrived at the scene.

Arrested and interviewed, Jones said he was very drunk, saw a girl wearing sexy clothing and decided to try his luck with her.

He claimed he asked her for a kiss and grabbed her breast and her buttocks.

In a statement, his victim said that, since the attack, she had difficulty sleeping, had nightmares and flashbacks, had lost her confidence, feared being alone and had to give up her employment.

Following the sentencing, PC John Evans, a victim liaison officer from North Wales Police's Amethyst team, said: "I hope this sentence goes some way to reassure the victim and echoes the words used by the judge that she demonstrated great strength of character in coming forward, standing up to the perpetrator and ensuring that justice was served.

"It should also serve as a warning to perpetrators that these types of crimes will not be tolerated within our community and will be investigated meticulously.

"It is important to reassure victims that North Wales Police will provide the appropriate specialist support to assist them through every stage of an investigation and throughout any subsequent court proceedings."

The Amethyst team provide specialist services to support victims and encourage anyone who has been the victim of a sexual offence to come forward.

If a victim does not feel ready to report to the police, services can be accessed through the confidential Amethyst SARC helpline on 0808 156 3658.

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A former foster carer from Ramsgate who sexually abused and raped five children over an 11 year period has been jailed for 22-and-a-half years. Gary Teague, 58, was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court yesterday (18 December). Teague had been charged with a total of 14 offences which spanned 11 years. They included six counts of rape, three counts of gross indecency, two counts of indecent assault, one count of inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity, one sexual assault and one count of administering a substance to stupefy/overpower to allow sexual activity. Guilty He denied all 14 charges, but a jury found him guilty of all but the charge of administering a substance to stupefy/overpower to allow sexual activity. This will lie on file. Sentencing him, Judge Heather Norton told Teague he must serve two-thirds of his sentence and on release would be on licence for four-and-a-half years.He was given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a restraining order not to contact his victims either directly or indirectly, also to run indefinitely. Callous Investigating officer Detective Constable Jenny Brightman said: These offences all occurred while Gary Teague was alone with the children. He callously told his victims that they wouldnt be believed and that they would be in trouble if they told anyone what had happened. Throughout this investigation he denied any wrong-doing, claiming the children had made up the allegations, even though their stories were consistent. Tremendous courage Detective Constable Brightman paid tribute to Teagues victims: They will undoubtedly carry the emotional scars of his abuse for the rest of their lives, yet they showed tremendous courage in giving evidence against him. Kent Police takes all allegations of sexual abuse extremely seriously, no matter how long ago they took place. We have teams of specialist officers who work tirelessly to ensure that offenders do not evade justice. I hope other victims of this type of abuse will have the confidence to come forward, safe in the knowledge that they will be treated with the utmost care and understanding. I also hope that this substantial sentence shows offenders just how seriously the courts take sexual offences against children. Previous Teague was previously found guilty of offences against two children and sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court in September 2016. He had earlier pleaded guilty to two counts of making an indecent photo of a child. He had pleaded not guilty to two counts of abusing a position of trust by causing or inciting a child to engage in a sexual activity and two counts of recording another person doing a private act for his own sexual gratification. He was convicted of all six offences following a trial at Canterbury Crown Court in June 2016 and jailed for two years and three months.

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A man with evil eyes who followed a woman into an underpass in the early hours and sexually attacked her has been jailed for six years and four months.

Judge Rhys Rowlands told attacker Llion Wyn Jones that it was the stuff of nightmares for young women and their families.

The victim, who was aged 20 at the time of the attack, had to give up work and told a court today in a victim impact statement that her life had changed completely following the incident in Bangor.

Jones, 43, of Ashton Terrace, Caernarfon, admitted false imprisonment with intent to commit a sexual offence, after a charge of attempted rape was dropped.

The court heard he grabbed her by the throat, tried to open her underclothing and went to open his own trousers during the attack in Penybryn Road.

But Jones victim kicked him as she feared she was going to lose consciousness, and was able to get away.

Jones laughed as he walked away, the court heard.

Judge Rowlands, sitting at Mold Crown Court, commended the victim for her behaviour from beginning to end.

Prosecuting barrister Elen Owen said that, in the early hours of September 10, the victim was walking home after a night out with friends.

Her boyfriend was due to meet her but she had set off earlier than planned.

As she approached the Skerries public house at the end of the high street, she saw the defendant for the first time, said Miss Owen.

She had never seen him before. He was walking ahead of her and she thought nothing of it initially.

However, she then realised that having turned off the street he was now behind her.

She was on the phone to her boyfriend at the time, told him her concerns and he tried to assure her there was nothing to worry about.

As they approached the underpass, which she described as a tunnel, she thought he was taking a different route so she proceeded into the tunnel, the court heard.

She wouldnt usually dream of going through the dark tunnel alone, said Miss Owen.

She then became aware that the defendant had rushed ahead of her and was glaring at her with - as she describes it - evil eyes.

The defendant threw the food he was carrying and grabbed her, pushing her against a wall, pressing his whole body against hers with all his weight.

Jones managed to turn her phone off while it was in her left hand, said Miss Owen.

He tried to force her down to the floor and the victim described how she was halfway down as his hand was trying to touch her everywhere all over her right side.

Jones tried to get into her clothing, grunting as he did so, and tried undoing his own trousers when he failed to open her clothing.

She shouted help and tried to push him away and kick him.

Jones hold on her throat got tighter and she described how she could not see anything, she couldnt breathe and no sound was coming out despite her trying to shout.

She punched Jones as hard as she could with her right hand to his jaw and he let go of her throat, said Miss Owen.

She managed to unlock her phone and told him her boyfriend was coming.

He was smirking and laughing before he walked away.

She could not move and just stood there gasping for breath, said Miss Owen.

Fortunately, her boyfriend then arrived at the scene.

Arrested and interviewed, Jones said he was very drunk, saw a girl wearing sexy clothing and decided to try his luck with her.

He claimed he asked her for a kiss and grabbed her breast and her buttocks.

In a statement, his victim said that, since the attack, she had difficulty sleeping, had nightmares and flashbacks, had lost her confidence, feared being alone and had to give up her employment.

Following the sentencing, PC John Evans, a victim liaison officer from North Wales Police's Amethyst team, said: "I hope this sentence goes some way to reassure the victim and echoes the words used by the judge that she demonstrated great strength of character in coming forward, standing up to the perpetrator and ensuring that justice was served.

"It should also serve as a warning to perpetrators that these types of crimes will not be tolerated within our community and will be investigated meticulously.

"It is important to reassure victims that North Wales Police will provide the appropriate specialist support to assist them through every stage of an investigation and throughout any subsequent court proceedings."

The Amethyst team provide specialist services to support victims and encourage anyone who has been the victim of a sexual offence to come forward.

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Diane Chilcott, 40, and 21-year-old Daniel Pusey plied vulnerable victims with cigarettes and alcohol before driving them to hotels, where they were sexually exploited and abused A man and woman have been sentenced to a combined total of 19 years' imprisonment after being found guilty of their roles in the sexual exploitation of teenage girls. Daniel Pusey, 21, of Money Lane, West Drayton, and Diane Chilcott, 40 of Rutherwyk Road, Chertsey, were handed sentences of 13 years and six years respectively at Portsmouth Crown Court on Monday (December 18). They were found guilty in November of several counts of facilitating travel to exploit vulnerable teenage girls in Surrey. In April 2017, Pusey was also convicted of seven offences of sexual activity with a child in connection with the case. Following the sentencing, Detective Inspector Richard Haycock, from Surrey Police's Complex Abuse Unit, said: "The bravery shown by those exploited throughout the entire process is highly commendable. "I hope the sentencing of these two individuals brings some level of closure to the victims. "This was calculated exploitation of young teenage girls. These individuals clearly knew what they were doing, supplying the victims with alcohol to make them even more vulnerable to sexual abuse. "The offenders knew how old the girls were but continued to exploit them on a number of occasions. "I commend the victims for their bravery in speaking to authorities and seeing the legal process through to the end. This has been a long and difficult journey for them." The pair worked together to lure and sexually exploit girls at hotels across north Surrey and west London in January and February 2016, Surrey Police said. The victims, who were aged between 13 and 15 at the time, were plied with alcohol and cigarettes at Chilcott's house before being driven to hotels in Staines, Twickenham, Tolworth and Heathrow by Pusey or herself. At the hotels they would continue to be given alcohol and cigarettes before some were subjected to sexual abuse by Pusey. DI Haycock added: "If anyone is, or has been, in a similar situation, or has concerns about any child - I urge you to please come forward and tell someone who can help you. "Specialist officers worked closely with social services and police colleagues in London to investigate this case. "The police are also continuing to work with the hotel industry through the Operation Makesafe initiative to ensure their staff are alert to possible warning signs of children at risk. "If you work in a hotel and come across a situation involving a child that looks or feels suspicious, talk to your supervisor and contact the police on 101 quoting Operation Makesafe. "Dont ignore your gut feeling that something is not right. Say something if you see something."

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A paedophile has been jailed for eight and a half years after sexually abusing a little girl in Luton.

Ben Storey, 26, who until recently was residing at Marlborough Road, Banbury, was sentenced at Luton Crown Court today after being found guilty of four counts of sexual touching and two counts of assault by penetration in October.

Storey assaulted the young girl on a number of occasions over a period of time in 2016. He was arrested when the child told her mum about the abuse who then contacted the police.

DC Stephen Francis said: “Fortunately Storey’s victim disclosed her abuse to a trusted adult and as a result Storey has now been locked away and can no longer cause harm to others.

“I hope this sentence shows how seriously we take child sexual abuse. It will not be tolerated and we will do anything in our power to bring abhorrent offenders such as Storey to justice, while providing our support to victims and their families.

“We’re also continuing to work with our partners to educate both parents and children around the issue of child sexual abuse in order to help reduce the risk of it happening.”

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A pensioner was jailed for 17 years for twice raping a very young girl and committing a catalogue of indecent assaults against her and another victim.

Robert Croxford, now 68, sat with his arms folded as a judge recounted his crimes, telling him how he stole his victims childhood, and blighted her adult life.

The Wirral man pleaded not guilty to all the charges made against him, forcing his youngest victim to relive her ordeals in a trial.

But jurors unanimously convicted Croxford him of two rapes, and 11 indecent assaults.

His victim told how she had gone through phases of pulling her hair out and had taken overdoses.

Prosecutor Martine Snowdon read from the womans personal statement, revealing how she thought it was her fault and she had a false view of herself.

She added: She was the person who Croxford made her believe she was.

The woman experienced feelings of guilt when she disclosed the sexual attacks perpetrated on her, and has been diagnosed with complex post traumatic stress disorder.

She is still on anti-depressants after starting taking them in her 20s, following a major breakdown during which she was admitted to hospital.

His second victim was targeted with inappropriate touching and kissing during her teens.

Andrew McInnes, defending, said Croxford would find prison particularly difficult, asking the judge to take into account his advancing years and the effect custody will have on him.

Judge Robert Warnock told Croxford: You created the opportunity to indecently assault and rape a girl 20 years younger than you. You stole her childhood and blighted her adulthood, it was wholly unacceptable behaviour.

I hope her courage and dignity in this trial is a help to her in her later life.

Croxford, of Lee Court Road, Hoylake , had only one previous criminal conviction, for possessing indecent images of underage children.

He was ordered to sign on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

DC Loretta Dean said: "Croxford is starting a long prison sentence after a jury found him guilty of a number of offences carried out over a number of years in the 1970s in the Wirral area.

"Croxfords victims have shown an immense amount of bravery in coming forward and I hope his sentencing today gives them some sense of closure and justice. Their adult life has been deeply affected by these crimes and they have shown immense courage to report them.