Latest Offenders

Description

A FORMER Special Constable in Aberystwyth has been jailed for 15 years after being convicted of attempted rape, sexual assault and inciting an underage girl to engage in sexual activity.

John Patrick Leadbetter, 64, who is understood to have served in Aberystwyth for several years and who also lived near Llanybydder, was found guilty after a trial at Swansea Crown Court. Offences took place in the Aberystwyth area.

Leadbetter initially appeared in Aberystwyth Magistrates Court in December 2016 facing 20 charges, some dating from over 10 years ago.

He gave his address as Beili Villa in Llanllwni, Llanybydder.

He was charged with seven counts of sexual assault, seven counts of inciting a child under the age of 13 to engage in sexual activity, four counts of attempted rape and two counts of rape.

Leadbetter was convicted at Swansea Crown Court of four counts of inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, four counts of sexual assault on a child under the age of 13, and three counts of attempted rape, following a trial.

The jury could not reach a verdict on seven other charges.

He was sentenced to 10 years in prison, with a further year of extended licence. There was also a separate sentence of five years to run consecutively.

Description

A teenager has been locked up after trying to have sex with a dog. It was one of a number of sex offences - including possessing indecent images of children and inciting young teenage girls to commit sexual acts - which 18-year-old Joshua Clarke admitted. Carlisle Crown Court heard how he incited two American-based girls, aged 13 and 14, to engage in lewd illegal acts over the internet. Prosecutor Gerard Rogerson said police became aware of images uploaded to the internet which were traced to Clarke's email address. "Officers attended his home address and there they arrested Mr Clarke. They seized a number of electronic devices," said Mr Rogerson. Forensic analysis of the devices revealed "graphic sexualised exchanges" with the two girls. Scores of illegal still and moving images of children had also been created over a three-year period. Some were classed in category A, the most serious, and featured youngsters aged just three. Clarke also admitted he had "repeatedly tried to have sexual intercourse with his dog". Mr Rogerson said: "It appeared he had not been successful in that the dog had managed to successfully defend itself." Mark Shepherd, defending, offered what he described as "significant personal mitigation" during a detailed address to Judge James Adkin. Since the teen's arrest, his supportive family had tried to understand what had gone "so wrong" for him. "Joshua Clarke went from being somebody who was this happy, bright, bubbly boy to suddenly becoming sullen, withdrawn and socially isolated," said Mr Shepherd. As a result of bullying, he "withdrew himself and sought solace in the online community". Clarke had since requested professional help, and Mr Shepherd suggested it would be "perfectly safe" for the teen to be managed in the community. Clarke, of Macadam Way, Penrith, was sentenced having admitted two charges of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity; two of causing a child to watch a sexual act; possessing an extreme pornographic image; distributing indecent images of children; and attempting to have intercourse with a dog. He also admitted making indecent still and moving images of youngsters. He was sent to a young offenders' institution for two years by Judge Adkin, who concluded: "This offending is so serious that only a custodial sentence can be justified." Clarke must sign the sex offenders' register and abide by the terms of a sexual harm prevention order - both for 10 years - and will be reported to the safeguarding authorities.

Description

A "depraved sexual predator" who subjected a woman to a "terrifying rape" has been jailed, police said.

Samaun Shah, of Hornby Road, Stretford dragged her into a car park in Trafford at about 03:15 BST on 4 April and raped her, said Greater Manchester Police.

Det Con Paul Walls said Shah targeted his victim, who was in her 40s, after she asked him for a cigarette while walking to Tesco on Chester Road.

Shah, 44, was sentenced to eight years after his trial at Bolton Crown Court.

After giving her a cigarette, police said Shah insisted that she walk with him to Old Trafford Metrolink station.

He then dragged her into a deserted car park and assaulted her.

Shah denied any involvement when he was arrested, claiming he had been in bed at the time.

He carried on denying the offence even when he was shown CCTV footage of him and the woman walking together.

'Sexual predator'

Det Con Walls said a dangerous man had been taken off the streets.

He added: "Samaun Shah is a depraved sexual predator who preyed on a vulnerable woman who had merely asked him if she could have a cigarette.

"He took her to a spot where he thought nobody would see him and subjected her to a terrifying rape, the memory of which will stay with her for the rest of her life."

He said Shah's repeated denials, even when faced with CCTV evidence, highlighted "the arrogance of a man who thought he could get away with his despicable crime".

Description

A MAN who carried out horrific sex attacks at a children's home has been jailed. Willy John Gillham, 64, committed offences including rape and indecent assault at the former Palmerston House children's home on Botley Road, Romsey. After he was jailed for 15 years at Southampton Crown Court the NSPCC said Gillham's actions "betrayed [the victim] in the worst possible way". Gillham, who had moved to France, was found guilty of indecent assault and three counts of rape relating to incidents that happened in the 1980s. An NSPCC statement says: Gillhams victim was in a setting which should have been entirely safe. "Instead they were betrayed in the worst possible way by someone who should have been protecting them from harm. "His victim may have waited a long time for justice but it is in part thanks to their bravery that Gillham was brought before the courts, solid proof that it is never too late to speak out about past abuse. "Sexual abuse ruins childhoods and the devastating effects can last into adulthood without the right support. "We hope the victim in this case has received the available help so they can move forward with their life."

Description

A teacher who had a "full-blown sexual relationship" with a 15-year-old boy has been jailed for 16 months. Alice McBrearty, 23, admitted the four-month relationship with a pupil she taught at an east London school. Snaresbrook Crown Court heard McBrearty kissed the youngster in a classroom, and had sex with him at her parents' home in Wanstead Park, east London. She pleaded guilty to seven counts of sexual activity with a child while in a position of trust. 'Besotted' Prosecutors said the relationship began when the teacher sent the boy a friend request on Facebook. Barrister Lisa Matthews said the teenager, who cannot be named, "felt special" and "appeared to be besotted" with McBrearty. The court heard the pair met in several locations, including a hotel room McBrearty had booked, and had sexual contact. Their relationship ended when the boy's father contacted police. McBrearty put her head in her hands and sobbed when she was sentenced by Judge Sheelagh Canavan. The judge described her as a "bright, intelligent and gifted young woman, who knew right from wrong," but who had committed the "grossest breach of trust". 'Fall from grace' "You engaged in a full-blown sexual relationship with a 15-year-old child," she said. "I accept he was consenting - what 15-year-old schoolboy would turn down such an attractive offer? "I accept you truly believed this was a great romance, you were in love with him and vice versa, and that age didn't matter. But it did. "You were supposed to keep him safe, to help him make the right decisions. Instead, you helped him make all the wrong ones." Emma Shafton, defending, said her client, who is no longer a teacher, has had "a spectacular fall from grace". "She has been utterly disgraced by this," she added.

Description

In 2017, (Then aged 14-years-old) Casey cooke from Plymouth was locked up for at least four years and three months after he admitted raping a boy aged six and sexually abusing a two-year-old.

Cooke had pleaded guilty to a total of five offences four of causing or inciting a child into sexual activity and one count of rape.

The court was told that Cooke was left in the company of a two-year-old boy.

The toddlers mother returned to the room to find the younger boys privates out of his nappy and appeared sore and red.

Cooke who was 13 at the time was then discovered to have been telling people at school that he had performed an indecent act upon the toddler.

Police were called and interviewed Cooke who in turn made a full admission.

At the time, with input from a number of authorities including the NSPCC, his school, social workers and the Plymouth Youth Offending Team, police agreed that a caution was the most appropriate course of action.

However the parents of the toddler were not content with the caution being offered.

His sexual offending continued and a few months later Cooke had gone on a trip with a six-year-olds extended family and other children.

He took the younger boy to a toilet cubicle where he performed two indecent acts upon the younger boy.

Later that month, Cooke had again gone with the six-year-olds family and other children to a fast food restaurant as a treat.

As they were walking home, the adult accompanying the children realised they could not see the teen nor the six-year-old.

Retracing his steps he heard screaming and found the six-year-old pinned against a wall, being raped by the teen who had his hand over the younger boys mouth.

When the very very upset boy got home he revealed that 14-year-old Cooke had also performed an indecent act upon him prior to the rape. He also finally revealed the previous sexual assaults on when the teen had urged him not to tell anyone.

Cooke was sentenced to four years and three months. His release date is due within next few months.

Description

Police have arrested a paedophile who went missing on the same day he was convicted of 16 offences.

David Hart, from Morriston, Swansea, failed to show up at the city's crown court for the last day of his trial on Tuesday.

Hart, a 60-year-old taxi driver, was arrested by South Wales Police at an address in Morriston on Wednesday.

His victim was just 11 or 12 when he began a campaign of abuse, which lasted for 14 years.

Officers said the hunt for Hart was "immediately treated as a top priority".

Hart was convicted of 12 charges of rape, two of indecent assault, one of assault by penetration and one of assault occasioning actual bodily harm on Tuesday.

'Life-changing consequences'

Judge Geraint Walters said his victim had described "some of the gravest sexual offences".

He adjourned sentencing, saying Hart faced "many years" in prison.

During the trial, the court heard some of the abuse was carried out in front of a camera with hundreds of people watching at times.

Hart's victim said the abuse had caused extreme pain and she thought she may have been drugged.

She told police: "I blame myself. I never did enough to stop him. I had opportunities to stop him but I was too afraid. I hate myself. I feel disgusted I let him do these things. I dream of it."

Judge Walters said it "obviously leaves a permanent psychological mark" and "someone can't be subjected to this behaviour without life-changing consequences".

It was thought Hart been admitted to Morriston Hospital, but police discovered he was not there.

Description

A HAMPSHIRE man is lucky be alive after a savage knife attack by his neighbour. Whitney Palmer was the victim of the attack by friend Peter Smith outside their homes in Woolston, Southampton, The 62-year-old could have died after he was repeatedly stabbed by convicted rapist Smith when he turned up on his porch late at night. Smith, of Radstock Road, is today beginning a 12 year jail sentence after a court heard how he lunged at the victim on his doorstep when he opened his front door, narrowly missing major arteries as he stabbed him twice. Winchester Crown Court was told the exact motive was unclear but that Smith seemed to have developed a grudge for the victim over money. The court heard the 53-year-old, who was found guilty of the attack at a previous hearing, was under the influence of alcohol at the time, but did not appear drunk to police officers when he was arrested. Judge Jane Miller QC said the attack was launched without any precipitating cause and that the victim had been amazingly lucky to survive the assault. It is quite clear the effect the attack has had upon him. He could so easily have died, she said. Prosecuting Dawn Hyland referred to Smiths previous conviction of rape for which he has served four years in prison. In a statement Mr Palmer said he had suffered nerve damage in his leg and as a result of the knife attack at around 10pm on March 5, and now found it difficult to move around. He added: I have not slept well since the assault and experience feelings of dread on a daily basis, he said. I still cant comprehend what happened to me really. I could easily be dead now. He added that Smith was, a very unpredictable and dangerous person. Mitigating, Jamie Swain admitted that Smith had caused nasty injuries, but that he would not want to hurt anyone in that way ever again. He added that Smith, a joiner, had been friendly to other neighbours, even offering to build items for them and buying them things. Smith remained expressionless when he was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment for wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, hearing that he would serve at least nine years behind bars before being considered for parole.

Description

A 55-year-old man has been given a suspended prison sentence after he was caught attempting to groom under-age girls in sting operations by two separate groups of vigilante paedophile hunters. Mark Gaudion pleaded guilty to two charges of attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child and a count of attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming. Dawn Hyland, prosecuting, told Winchester Crown Court that Gaudion had contacted the fake profile of a teenage girl called Becksy Baby on the online dating website Waplog. She said the profile had been set up by a vigilante group called Predator Hunters and clearly stated the age of the girl was 14. Ms Hyland said that the defendant sent 57 messages to the profile, including an explicit photograph. She said that Gaudion went on to arrange for the girl to come to stay at his home but at the rendezvous in April he was confronted by four members of the group Predator Hunters, and the police were called to arrest him. Ms Hyland said that when police searched his home, they found that Gaudion, of Bordon, had engaged in similar online conversations with another fake profile, a 13-year-old girl called Amy, set up by a different group called Dark Justice. Karen Dempsey, defending, said that Gaudion was a "vulnerable man" with borderline learning disabilities and a low IQ. She said: "He has accepted his guilt, it has been difficult to explain to him, he is a vulnerable man who has challenges both in terms of his learning difficulties and his IQ." Judge Jane Miller QC sentenced Gaudion to 15 months' imprisonment suspended for two years and ordered him to carry out 200 hours of community service. He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders' register and was made subject to a sexual harm prevention order. She told him: "This is your first offence, you are clearly a man with difficulties and I believe you deserve at least one chance. "I think you need some help to understand what you have done so you do not do it again." She said that the defendant had denied having sexual interest in children and said that the messages had been just his "wicked sense of humour". Judge Miller said that the defendant had attended a special school as a child and had been "bullied enormously" and she had been advised that he could be subjected to "sexual exploitation and bullying" if sent to prison. Earlier this week, the BBC Inside Out programmed revealed a rise in similar cases involving online vigilante groups. Simon Bailey, the National Police Chiefs' Council lead for child protection, told the programme: "I'm not going to condone these groups and I would encourage them all to stop, but I recognise that I am not winning that conversation and I am not winning that moral argument."

Description

A SEXUAL predator who encouraged young girls to send sexually explicit images is now behind bars.

Craig Stewart, of Clay Lane, Burtonwood, was sentenced to three years and four months in prison at Liverpool Crown Court on September 14 after pleading guilty to a string of sexual offences.

The court heard how suspicions were raised about the 33-year-old’s behaviour as part of an investigation by British Transport Police in July 2016 into the exploitation of a 15-year-old girl.

When detectives examined the victim’s phone, they identified a series of conversations between her and Stewart.

He was then arrested in September 2016.

Using the alias of John Edwards, the defendant sent messages to a number of young girls, and asked them to share explicit photos of themselves.

Stewart used photographs of unknown teenage boys in order to persuade his unsuspecting victims to send explicit pictures of themselves to him.

He also made efforts to try to meet with his victims, who were from around the country, although this never materialised.

Stewart pleaded guilty to five counts of causing or inciting child prostitution or pornography, eight counts of making indecent images of a child and one count of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

DC Olly Saunders, from British Transport Police, said: “Stewart used an alias of a young boy in order to groom the girls.

“Over a period of time he exploited a number of young girls for his own sexual gratification. The steps he took in order to lure his victims into sharing extremely personal photographs was disgraceful.

“Stewart knew full well that the girls he was speaking with were below the age of 16.

“When we examined his mobile phone and laptop we uncovered some 120 indecent images and videos of children.”

Stewart was also handed a sexual harm prevention order by Judge Anil Murray.

Description

A man jailed for more than three years for grooming what he thought was an 11-year-old girl took condoms to meet 'her' at Baths KFC restaurant.

David Taylor, aged 45, of Rodwell Park in Trowbridge, made online sexual approaches to the fictional 11-year-old girl before arranging to meet her in Bath in April.

However, when he arrived at the fast food chain he was confronted by a self-styled paedophile hunter who had been pretending to be the girl.

Taylor admitted attempting to meet a girl under the age of 16 following grooming and attempting to cause/incite a female child to engage in sexual activity at Swindon Crown Court on August 1.

He was due to be sentenced on August 25, but the hearing was adjourned until Friday (Sept 14), where he was jailed for three years and four months.

The court heard how police launched an investigation and traced Taylor from a video of the confrontation posted on Facebook.

After being arrested at his home in Trowbridge, Taylor told police he had taken condoms with him to the meeting outside the KFC restaurant.

James Haskell, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court: "It seems this person had effectively sought to emulate what is referred to as 'paedophile hunters' and that person engaged in online chat conversations with the defendant pretending to be an 11-year-old girl.

"The defendant engaged in conversations with that person believing it was a child under 13. He sent photographs of himself and he engaged in conversations of a sexually explicit nature."

Simon Goodman, defending, said Taylor was an inadequate man and had been suffering recently from mental health problems and had probably never had a proper relationship.

Taylor was jailed for 40 months for attempting to meet a girl under the age of 16 following grooming.

He also received another 40-month sentence to be severed concurrently for attempting to cause/ incite a female child to engage in sexual activity.

He denied a third count of trying to meet a child after sexual grooming and that was left to lie on the file.

Taylor was also given a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years and placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

An NSPCC spokesman for South West England said: Taylor groomed his young victim with the sole intention of earning her trust so he could meet her, and go on to sexually abuse and exploit her.

He was fully aware of her age but continued with his despicable behaviour regardless.

This kind of predatory activity can ruin childhoods, with the devastating effects lasting into adulthood.

Taylor must be policed effectively on his release from prison to help reduce any risk he poses to children.

Description

Steven Joyce preyed on four vulnerable boys when he should have been looking after them A twisted pensioner who serially abused boys at a north Devon boarding school in the 1980s had his too soft sentence doubled by senior judges today. Steven John Joyce, 66, preyed on four vulnerable schoolboys when he should have been guarding their welfare, London's Appeal Court heard. He cynically groomed the youngsters by giving them sweets and chocolate eggs, and encouraged them to think of him as a father figure. Joyce's job at the school was to act as "house-parent" with special responsibility for the pupils' pastoral care. One victim claimed Joyce had "ruined his life", Lord Justice Davis told the court. Another told how Joyce regularly took him out of his dormitory at night to abuse him. Joyce, of Erme Drive in Ivybridge, faced investigations in 1991 and 2011, but it was only in May last year that he was finally brought to book. He was handed a sentence of seven years and two months after admitting a string of sex crimes - including 11 indecent assaults and two attempts at buggery. But his case reached the Appeal Courtas lawyers for the Solicitor General, Robert Buckland QC, called for a much tougher sentence. Lord Justice Davis ruled that the sentence was "far, far too low" - and doubled it to 14 years and four months. Joyce's own lawyers conceded that his sentence was "low", but insisted it was "not unduly lenient". Lord Justice Davis, sitting with Mr Justice Stuart-Smith and Mr Justice Soole, took account of Joyce's age and poor health. But he ruled: "With all due respect to the judge, we have no doubt at all that this sentence was unduly lenient."

Description

A former Church of England priest has been found guilty of torturing and sexually abusing two schoolboys in the 1980s and 90s.

Jonathan Graves, 60, of Eastbourne, East Sussex, restrained the children, who were aged between 12 and 14, using belts and straps, and then beat them.

At the time, he was the vicar at St Luke's Church in Stone Cross.

He was convicted at Hove Crown Court of 12 offences between 1987 and 1992 and will be sentenced on Monday.

Graves, of Jervis Avenue, was cleared of five similar charges, including one offence of indecent assault on a 50-year-old woman in 2002, following a nine-day trial.

The court heard how he groomed the boys, plied them with alcohol and tricked them into playing sadistic forfeit games.

Graves was first arrested by police in 2005 following a single complaint.

He was temporarily suspended from working in Sussex churches three years later.

Det Insp Jon Gross, of the Sussex Police Public Protection Command, said the past had "caught up" with Graves.

"The evidence in this case has revealed how he used his position to select his victims and befriend them before callously abusing them for his own sexual gratification.

"His crimes have had a lasting impact upon those he abused.

"The hurt caused by the sexual abuse itself has undoubtedly been compounded by the psychological scars of the abuser being a trusted and influential figure in each of the victims' lives."

Description

A man who "savagely" murdered a college student at a beauty spot has been jailed for a minimum of 31 years.

Mark Buckley, 52, killed 18-year-old Ellen Higginbottom in a "chilling" and "sexually motivated pre-meditated" attack in June at Orrell Water Park in Wigan, Greater Manchester.

Buckley, of New Hall Lane, Preston, admitted the charge at a previous hearing at Manchester Crown Court.

Miss Higginbottom was planning to marry boyfriend Ryan Warren, the court heard.

Judge David Stockdale QC described the murder as "cowardly and callous".

The murder was sexually motivated, the court heard, but the victim was chosen at random, police said.

He said the facts of the case were "frankly chilling".

Ellen was reported missing on 16 June after failing to return home from Winstanley College.

A post-mortem examination confirmed she died from multiple wounds to the neck. Police said she was killed at about 14:00 BST.

Her body was found the next day.

'Beyond imagining'

Slightly-built Miss Higginbottom, who did not know her attacker, was not able to physically offer much resistance in the attack, the judge said.

The Honorary Recorder of Manchester told the defendant: "Despite that, her wounds indicated that she tried albeit in vain to defend herself."

He said Buckley who was armed with a knife subjected her to a "savage and brutal attack".

"She would have had no idea it was coming" and was "caught entirely off her guard".

"She simply did not stand a chance. What must have been going through her mind is beyond imagining."

The court heard Buckley took the psychology student's laptop and mobile phone and fled.

Buckley later returned to the park and moved her body which he then intended to bury when it was dark, the court heard.

He was thwarted as a police helicopter with heat-seeking equipment hovered overhead and he made off, the court heard.

Buckley was later arrested and admitted killing Miss Higginbottom but could offer no explanation for his actions.

Neil Fryman, prosecuting, told the court at a previous hearing: "There was a sexual motivation for this offence and also it was pre-meditated."

'Pointless and idiotic'

The court heard Miss Higginbottom was planning to marry her boyfriend.

The judge said: "Although they were young, the couple was already planning to marry and they were planning ahead to having children.

"All that is now lost to Ryan Warren."

Following sentencing, Ellen's father Mike Higginbottom said: "There can never be anything even remotely approaching justice for what was done to Ellen."

He continued: "We were tremendously lucky to have shared 18 years with her and everyone else who knew her will identify with that feeling.

"She made the world a better place with pretty much everything she said and everything she did."

He said having her taken away in such a "pointless and idiotic fashion fills us with an anger and resentment that does not represent who we want to be".

Mr Higginbottom added: "But we wrestle it under control and learn to be better at being people. Because that's what adults do."

"So if there's anyone else out there thinking of doing anything even half this stupid, just take one piece of advice. Grow up."

'Random attack'

David Graham from the Crown Prosecution Service said: "Mark Buckley went out that day equipped with a knife to carry out a violent assault.

"He spent a number of hours that morning looking for a lone female to attack."

He said: "We believe he selected his victim at random, and Ellen Higginbottom was simply walking through the park at the time he chose to attack, with tragic consequences."

Det Supt Howard Millington from Greater Manchester Police said: "Buckley callously killed Ellen in broad daylight.

"He attacked her in the most brutal way as she was walking around Orrell Water Park before going to meet her friends who were taking their exams."

Description

Two men who raped and sexually assaulted a woman in a "truly horrific attack" have been jailed.

William Kelly, 46, met the victim in a bar in Blackpool in April 2016 where he raped her.

Kelly then took the woman back to a hotel with Steven Williams, 49, who also raped and sexually assaulted her.

Williams, who denied all the charges, was jailed for 13 and a half years. Kelly, who pleaded guilty, was sentenced to 12 years.

Police said the victim had been at the bar when Kelly, of Beechfield Avenue, Blackpool, attacked her on 29 April 2016.

'Appalling ordeal'

CCTV footage showed Williams, of The Combs in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, had been present during the offences.

The pair took the woman to a hotel in South Shore where Williams then inflicted a second attack on her.

Kelly pleaded guilty to four offences of rape and one of sexual assault.

Williams pleaded not guilty to three counts of rape and two counts of sexual assault but he was convicted by jury after a trial at Preston Crown Court.

He was also sentenced to an additional six weeks for breaching a suspended sentence for driving offences.

Det Sgt Steve Harry, of Lancashire Constabulary, said: "This was a truly horrific sex attack where a young woman was targeted by Williams and Kelly before being subjected to an appalling ordeal."

He said the attack will "clearly have a long-lasting effect on her" and praised the victim's strength which has "ensured these predatory individuals have been jailed".