Latest Offenders

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Rolf Harris faces spending the rest of his life behind bars after he was jailed for five years and nine months for a string of sex crimes involving four girls.

The 84-year-old entertainer, a family favourite for decades, was finally unmasked as a prolific paedophile with his conviction for 12 indecent assaults on Monday.

Today, at London's Southwark Crown Court, Mr Justice Sweeney told the shamed performer he had shown no remorse, and his reputation was now in ruins.

Harris was unanimously found guilty of molesting four girls - one woman who was just seven or eight and was groped when she asked for his autograph, and another two who fell prey as young teenagers.

The veteran presenter, who charmed television audiences for decades, was also convicted of a catalogue of abuse against his daughter's then-best friend, whom prosecutors said Harris groomed from the age of 13 and used like ''his little toy''.

The accusations dated back to between 1968 and 1986, and the girls were targeted between the ages of seven or eight and 19.

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A depraved Jehovah's Witness church elder who raped a fellow worshipper and abused vulnerable schoolgirls was today jailed for 14 years.

"Predator" Mark Sewell, 53, showed "not a shred of remorse" for his crimes, said the judge who sent him down.

The disgraced businessman was convicted of eight historic sex charges against four women following a three-week trial at Methyr Tydfil Crown Court.

Former Butlins holiday camp driver Sewell was today locked up for a total of 14 years at the same court.

Addressing the heavy-set defendant directly, Judge Richard Twomlow told him: "You caused upset and distress to varying extents in the lives of our people.

"Two in particular suffered years of distress and a feeling of being ignored and disbelieved.

"You have showed not a shred of remorse."

Greying Sewell, of Porthkerry Road, Barry, frowned and occasionally closed his eyes as he followed proceedings via video link from Parc Prison in Bridgend.

At times Sewell, wearing a black short-sleeved polo short, was seen to breathe heavily.

He was last week found guilty by a jury of six sexual assaults against two young girls in the 120-strong Barry congregation more than 20 years ago.

Sewell was also convicted of raping a fellow churchgoer in an attack which left her knickers "shredded" and saw her fall pregnant.

Jurors also found him guilty of indecently assaulting another woman by rubbing his groin against her bottom as she made a cup of tea.

The burly defendant had denied nine counts spanning a period of more than eight years.

He was acquitted by jurors of one count of indecent assault, while Judge Twomlow directed the four men and eight women to return not guilty verdicts on a further three counts of indecent assault during the course of the trial.

The judge said Sewell had "groomed" his first victim and coerced her into keeping his campaign of assaults secret.

"She had the courage, though, recently to bring these matters forward again and at last has seen you brought to account for what you have done to her, which has had a tremendous effect on her and her family over the years," said Judge Twomlow.

Sewell abused his position of trust in the Jehovah's Witnesses to exploit and abuse her and another young girl, said the judge.

Sewell's suggestion that the woman he raped had "controlled" him was rejected "completely" by the judge, who told him: "You wanted a relationship with her and tried to persuade her to run off with you."

He later attacked her in what the judge called a "brief and violent rape", which he denied for years.

"The consequences of you denial have been very significant to the victim," said the judge, who added she had "had to live for years in the knowledge of what you did to her".

Describing the moment when the father of his third victim caught Sewell giving his schoolgirl daughter a topless massage, the judge said the defendant acted in a "typically aggressive, self-justifying and blustering" fashion by "telling him to get out even though you were in the wrong".

Indecently assaulting his final victim by rubbing himself against her was "part of a relentless attempt" to get her to accept his "lascivious suggestions" and have sex with him, the judge said.

Sewell was jailed for a total of 14 years.

For three counts of indecent assault against his first victim he was given three concurrent four-and-a-half-year jail terms, to run concurrently with one another.

For the offence of rape he was jailed for six and half years, to run consecutively.

For three indecent assaults against his third victims he will serve two-year jail terms which are concurrent to one another but consecutive to his other sentences.

For the final count of indecent assault he was jailed for a year, to run consecutively, meaning his total sentence was 14 years.

Sewell showed no reaction as the sentence was handed down.

He must also sign the sex offenders register for life and will be banned from ever working with children.

The judge also ordered him to pay a 120 victim surcharge.

When the trial opened the court heard how respected Jehovahs Witness Sewell used his position of power as an elder in the Barry congregation to exploit and abuse women and children.

Prosecutor Sarah Waters said he had used his influence "to perpetrate such sexual abuse over a number of years for his own sexual gratification".

At the start of the trial she told the court: "He is a sexual predator that took opportunities available to him to satisfy his sexual desires.

"For example he would use his high position in the Jehovah's Witness congregation to act in a sexually inappropriate manner with women, being 'touchy-feely' and insisting that he kiss them on the lips."

During the trial witnesses described how he would kiss women and children on the lips using his tongue, while one victim recounted how he bribed her into kissing him by giving her alcohol.

Another victim told how Sewell would give her topless massages when she was just a teenage schoolgirl.

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A used car salesman who abducted and repeatedly raped a teacher was jailed for 10 years and six months. Barry Dalton was found guilty of the "brutal and sustained attack" carried out in Perth in November. The jury at the High Court in Perth also found the 40-year-old guilty of a series of violent attacks on other women. He was jailed for eight years for the abduction and rape and 30 months for the other offences. Dalton was found guilty of abducting the teacher and detaining her at an address in Perth's Dunkeld Road on 17 and 18 November last year. He kicked and punched the woman, brandished a pair of scissors and a plank of wood at her, bit and scalped her, compressed her throat and repeatedly raped her. His victim told the jury she was too scared to leave the house when Dalton went downstairs briefly because she was afraid he would kill her. After she got away and reported the rapes, police started an investigation which led them to a number of female victims and a man who had also been attacked. 'Outrageous behaviour' Dalton was convicted of breaking into Tamas Bagi's flat in the city and punching him and brandishing a knife at him just days before the rape took place. He was also found guilty of assaulting several women, including a former girlfriend. Defence counsel Ronnie Renucci told the court that Dalton "accepts his behaviour was outrageous". He added: "He has asked me to apologise to the victims through the court for his behaviour." Sentencing, Lord Glennie told Dalton: "You have been convicted of a series of assaults against defenceless young women, including the final brutal and sustained attack. "You clearly have anger management issues, but that does not explain your violent conduct or the rapes that followed. Any rape - particularly accompanied by the use of force - necessitates a lengthy sentence. "The severity of the beating you inflicted before raping your victim three times demands a lengthy custodial sentence. It must be made clear that such conduct is unacceptable."

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A "prolific" sex offender who molested a Wirral schoolgirl on her way home received a nine-year sentence today.

A judge sentenced Andrew Bradshaw to seven years imprisonment with an extended licence of two years.

"Your record shows you are a prolific and determined sexual offender, in particular against girls of school age," said Judge Alan Conrad, QC.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that on November 14 last year 46-year-old Bradshaw parked up near a pathway in Bidston.

"You decided to take advantage of the fact it was the time of day that school girls would be on their way home.

"You parked up and lay in wait on a quiet residential road and there you saw your victim walking past.

"You got out of your car and followed her down the path and caught up with her and subjected her to a frightening and distressing sexual assault," said Judge Conrad.

After she began screaming and pushed him away, Bradshaw, a painter and decorator, ran to his distinctive black Peugeot 106 and drove back to a house in Chester, where he was working to help establish his alibi.

Bradshaw, of Hoole Way, Chester, denied sexual assault and breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, but was convicted by a jury.

The court heard he has convictions in 2002 and last year for indecent exposure and had been jailed for seven years in 2004 for indecently assaulting six women and girls.

He has also been convicted of possessing extreme porn.

Simon Killeen, defending, said that Bradshaw, who was ordered to sign on the Sex Offenders Register for life, had dropped his daughter off and the offence had been opportunistic during a small window of opportunity.

Detective Constable Andy Cullen, said: "Bradshaw committed despicable offences against his young victim and thankfully she plucked up the courage to report her ordeal. Her bravery in coming forward means that Bradshaw has now been brought to justice.

"Bradshaw now has seven years in jail to reflect on the torment he put his victim through and the lasting impact it will have on her and her family for the rest of her their lives.

"Hopefully this sentencing will bring her and her family some closure now that justice has been done.

"This was a very thorough investigation by officers from the force. I would like to thank all of those involved in the investigative process who have worked so hard to bring this man to justice."

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A MARRIED teacher was found hiding in a drawer under a pupils bed by her mother, a court heard. Andrew Welsh, a teacher at Canon Slade School, was discovered under the single divan bed when the mum came home early from a shopping trip. The highly regarded father-of-one was yesterday given a 14-month suspended jail sentence after Bolton Crown Court heard that he had lost his career and good character following his two-month affair with the girl. The court heard his doctor wife is standing by him and that he now works as a double glazing salesman. Geoff Whelan, prosecuting, told how the teacher and the 16-year-old girl would meet at each others homes where they would kiss and cuddle. On two occasions, they had sex. Welsh sent the girl numerous text messages telling her he loved her and mentioning the sexual contact between them. Mr Whelan told how Welsh, who was not the girls form tutor, was providing unofficial pastoral care to her and that they would meet in his classroom. She had sought his advice because she believed she suffered from depression but the relationship changed during one meeting. Mr Whelan said: He told her he was having a bad day and asked her for a hug. Within days Welsh suggested they spend a free afternoon together and they went back to his home where they kissed on the sofa in his young sons playroom. The teacher, who was the assistant head of Year 10, met the girl at his house on three occasions and her home three further times. Another time they engaged in sexual touching in his car parked in a Sainsburys car park. But the court heard that one day the girls mother arrived home unexpectedly at 11.30am and was met by her daughter at the bottom of the stairs. When the mother noticed that the girls hair was messed up, and lipstick she had applied two hours earlier was gone, her daughter explained she had been lying down because she had a headache. After putting shopping away in the kitchen the mother went upstairs and pushed open the girls bedroom door to see her holding a mans jacket. A pair of mens boots were also on the floor. The mother said: What are you doing? Whos here? But as her daughter replied Andy the mother noticed movement coming from the compartment under her daughters single divan bed. Mr Whelan told the court: The mother ordered the defendant to get out from under the bed and she recognised him immediately. The mother contacted the school and police and he was arrested. He told officers that he thought the relationship was not illegal because he believed she was no longer a pupil at the school. Nicola Gatto, defending, said Welsh had been teaching for seven years and was a well-regarded member of staff. She said: This was a man who clearly had a very bright future ahead of him. Quite what possessed him to embark on this course of conduct is really unclear. She added that it is not suggested the girl led Welsh on. She said: She makes no bones about the fact that she found Andrew Welsh attractive and, unfortunately, he succumbed to temptation and has paid a high price for that. It seems that he became utterly carried away with himself and didnt apply any real thought to what was going to happen to those around him. Judge Elliot Knopf sentenced Welsh, of High Bank, Atherton, to 14 months in prison, suspended for two years and ordered him to do 200 hours unpaid work. He said the relationship could have gone on longer if Welsh had not been caught. He added: You should have exercised the judgement you clearly lacked when you decided to embark on this relationship. Welsh, whose 36th birthday was today, pleaded guilty to six counts of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust at an earlier hearing. He was placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years and ordered to pay 500 prosecution costs.

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Judge Derwin Hope said he was "concerned" about the case when he agreed to the application from defence barrister Richard Onslow.

Benjamin Larmer, 20, of Bishops Road, Itchen, had pleaded guilty to three charges of having sexual activity with two 15-year-olds, and one count of meeting a third girl after sexual grooming.

Larmer was further remanded in custody until July 21.

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Update - July 2022 Reportly working in Bury, BL9 under the name Christopher Penguin. A 29-year-old Weymouth man who groomed and then molested a 15-year-old girl has been jailed for 13 months. Christopher Barrow, pictured, travelled to meet the child after booking them into a hotel for New Years Eve after making contact online. But when one of her concerned friends told an older sister what was going on the police were brought in and he was arrested at The Angel Hotel in Chippenham. Colin Meeke, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court on Tuesday that the child was still 14 years old when she put a message on social media site Kik last year. She put out a general invitation for people to talk to her and he answered that invitation. They seem to have got on well, he said. Although the girl made it clear from the outset that she was 14, and he said he was a pub manager aged 28 or 29, the correspondence soon took a sexual tone. In a game of truth or dare they asked each a series of questions starting with her wanting to know if he would cuddle her. He said he would and then asked if she were over 16 if she would have sex with him. It is clear at all times he knew she was under the age of 16. There was an arrangement to meet on or about her 15th birthday in July last year. Mr Meeke said that had not taken place because her parents had other plans but in September and October she and Barrow hatched the plan for New Years Eve. He booked a room at the hotel and she met him at the train station on December 31, having told her family she would be staying with friends that night. During the messaging she had told him she wanted to wait until she was 16 to lose her virginity, but after kissing and cuddling in the room he sexually touched her. Mr Meeke said after meeting up with him some of her friends, who knew what was going on, tried to text her but got no reply. After she eventually replied to the texts they went to find her, as they were concerned for her safety, and one of the friends then mentioned it to her older sister. A policeman was at the reception the next day when Barrow walked past and when asked if he knew the girls age he answered no comment, and was promptly arrested. Barrow, of Reedling Close, Weymouth, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual activity with a child. Mike Jeary, defending, said his client had been honest about what he did with the police and was willing to go on the Thames Valley Sex Offenders course. He said he was a well educated man but had drifted from job to job and had plainly groomed the girl before meeting her. Jailing him Judge Tim Mousley QC said: I am satisfied there was a degree of grooming towards her and it only came to an end when a friends older sister contacted the police. He jailed him for 12 months for the sex offences with a month added on for failing to surrender to custody last week. He also imposed a sexual offences prevention order restricting his liberty and told him he must register as a sex offender for ten years.

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A justice campaigner who performed a sex act in Heaton Park and was found with sick images of children has been jailed.

Former NHS worker Joanne Foster, 44, pleaded guilty to a series of sexual offences after being arrested in April 2017 with her then boyfriend, Gary Keenan, 43, following a police swoop at the home they shared.

Chester Crown Court heard that Keenan's mobile phone also contained downloaded indecent images of children.

There was also a picture of Foster exposing herself in Heaton Park. Keenan had encouraged her to engage in high risk and sometimes illegal sexual activity, prosecutors said.

The court was told during a sentencing hearing on Friday how Foster had become a campaigner for tougher manslaughter sentences in 2009 after her long term partner died following a 'one punch' attack during a night out in Macclesfield.

In the raid in April last year, devices belonging to Keenan were also seized and hundreds of indecent images of children and illegal pornographic images from the internet were found.

Prosecutor Sarah Badrawy said: Some of the pictures and videos show Foster engaging in sexual activity and having sex with multiple males outdoors. One set of pictures of Foster, taken by Keenan, shows her in Heaton Park in Manchester, wearing a white dress and exposing [herself].

Foster, of Percyvale Street, Macclesfield, pleaded guilty to possessing 16 Category A pictures, 18 category B and 69 category C indecent images of children under 16.

Keenan admitted having 159 category A, 231 category B and 536 category C indecent images of children along with 463 extreme pornographic images and 13 prohibited images in the form of animations.

Miss Badrawy said that an image recovered showed Foster with paedo s*** written on her bottom. She added that after starting the relationship, Keenan referred to Foster as his product and encouraged her to engage in high risk and sometimes illegal sexual activity.

The court heard that Foster, a former NHS clerical worker, blamed her partner for the actions, saying the former soldier downloaded the images to her phone.

But it was said that in police interviews the pair blamed each other.

Foster had earlier also admitted one count of possessing indecent images of children and two counts of outraging public decency.

The court heard that in 2009 Foster had lost her long-time partner when he died following in a one punch attack during a night out in Macclesfield.

In the aftermath she became a campaigner on the dangers of drink fuelled trouble and lobbied for tougher sentences for manslaughter cases.

Judge Patrick Thompson jailed Foster for 15 months and Keenan, recently of Altrincham, for two-and-a-half years.

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Claire Semmens gave the boy to Aaron Hughes who filmed the rapes on his mobile phone so he could watch them on his computer. A babysitter has been jailed for 16 years for giving a three-year-old boy to a known paedophile who drugged and raped him as he slept. Claire Semmens, 28, handed the little boy to depraved Aaron Hughes, who was jailed for life for the sex attacks on the sedated toddler. Hughes, 32, filmed the rapes on his mobile phone so he could watch them over and over again on his computer. He was caught when police did a routine check on his computer because they believed he had breached a court order by downloading child pornography. The court heard horrified officers found Hughes had filmed himself raping a child twice at the home of Semmens while she was babysitting children. Both attacks were on the same three-year-old and Hughes claimed they happened on the same night. But police checked the videos and spotted the little boy was wearing different pyjamas and that Hughes had a different ring on his finger. Prosecutor Laurence Jones said: "The rapes were carried out at separate times - but both were on the same boy and they happened in Semmens' bedroom. "Semmens not only supplied the boy but provided a room which enabled Hughes to commit the act and film it in a relatively safe haven. "By her own admission Semmens knew Hughes was a child sex offender who was banned from having any contact with children. "But she was trying to satisfy Hughes's perversions for young male children." The court heard Semmens was sexually attracted to Hughes's gay lover and the three had become close friends. Hughes had a previous conviction for raping a six-year-old boy and Semmens hoped that by providing children to Hughes it would clear the way for her to have a relationship with his lover. Mr Jones said: "Aaron Hughes had to be kept happy so she would supply him with a young boy. "She had the opportunity to do this because she was a babysitter, regularly looking after boys aged between three and six." The court heard Hughes and his lover moved into a flat in Roath, Cardiff, next door to where Semmens provided a regular babysitting service. But it wasn't until police raided Hughes's home that they discovered he was preying on one of the little boys staying next door - with Semmens' consent. Mr Jones said: "When Hughes was interviewed by police he admitted sedating the three-year-old boy before raping him. "In the video clip you can see the little boys' eyes are closed. "Hughes told police the rapes happened on the same night but the boy is wearing a different set of pyjamas and Hughes is wearing different jewellery. "Claire Semmens had also developed a taste for child pornography herself and images were found on her laptop computer." The court heard police also found computer images of the bare bottoms of two other boys babysat by Semmens. Hughes and Semmens disappeared when they realised the images found on their computers would send them to jail. The pair pawned their jewellery and took a train to Gatwick Airport fleeing in such a hurry Semmens' pet hamsters were left to die of starvation. When they were arrested Hughes told police he suffered from a multiple personality disorder and he was not responsible for raping the little boy. Semmens and Hughes sat stony-faced in the dock at Cardiff Crown Court with a prison officer sitting between them. Semmens, of Roath, Cardiff, admitted two charges of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and possessing indecent images. She was jailed for 16 years and barred from ever working with children again and must sign on the sex offenders register for life. Hughes, of Roath, admitted two charges of rape, possessing indecent images and breaching the terms of his sex offenders prevention order. He was jailed for life and told he would not be considered for parole until he served 12 years in prison. Hughes will be on license for life and barred from ever working with children and must sign on to the sex offenders register for life. Judge Phillip Richards told the pair: "These were genuinely horrendous offences which include the rape of a young child who was three years old. "It almost defies belief that any human being would do such a thing to such an innocent young child. "You, Semmens, made that child available not once but twice to your paedophile friend and permitted him to carry out his vile activities with that young child in your bedroom. "You knew full well he was a child abuser and the level of breach of trust is probably worse than Hughes. "Each of you are going to spend a long time in prison before you see the light of day."

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A man who still denies molesting a child despite being convicted of sexual assault after a three-day trial has been given a six-year jail term. Aaron Clayton, of College Close, Horringer, near Bury St Edmunds, was sentenced amid stormy scenes at Ipswich Crown Court. Judge Rupert Overbury said when he had met the victim he had found her to be cheerful and engaging girl who did not appear to have been adversely affected by what had happened to her. However, he said a victim impact statement painted a very different picture. This prompted a loud remark from one of the 32-year-olds family and friends in the public gallery. Judge Overbury halted the hearing and asked for Claytons supporters to be cleared from the court. Further shouting and swearing followed from a number of people. When order was restored after police and the courts usher had shepherded the men and women from the court, Judge Overbury resumed sentencing, although he allowed the defendants father back in. The judge made it clear to Clayton what had gone on would not be held against him and would not sway his sentencing. The court heard during his trial Clayton had disagreed with various prosecution points. Judge Overbury told him: You set out to challenge the voracity of some of the police officers (evidence), but plainly you were someone who would seek to take any point that was to your advantage in the promotion of what plainly was an untrue defence. Earlier in mitigation Claytons barrister Jo Eley stated her client still denied he had sexually assaulted the girl despite a jurys guilty verdict. However the judge said Clayton who had 27 previous convictions for 43 offences, although none for offences of a sexual nature posed a high, but not substantial risk to children. In addition to his jail term Clayton was made subject to the sex offenders notification requirements for life and given a sexual offences prevention order to limit his contact with children. The judge added: It is necessary to protect young people from any future offences by you. I am under a duty to pass a sentence that is commensurate with your offending. Half of Claytons six-year term will be served in prison, the remainder on licence.

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Ex-BBC broadcaster Stuart Hall has been sentenced to an extra two years and six months in prison for two counts of indecently assaulting a girl. Hall, 84, from Wilmslow, Cheshire, will start the sentence after completing a 30-month term for similar offences. He admitted indecently assaulting the girl when she was 13 and was found guilty of one count in a majority jury verdict at Preston Crown Court. He was cleared of 15 rape charges and four indecent assaults. The charge Hall admitted involved an incident at a dinner party where he crept into his victim's bedroom and assaulted her. 'Vile bravado' Sentencing him, Mr Justice Turner, said there had been "an element of grooming" to his offences. Mr Justice Turner said there had been a "breach of trust" in relation to the assault on the girl when she was 13. He said that Hall had acted with "a sense of arrogance and immunity... vile bravado and horrible betrayal". He added that the 84-year-old had shown "a lack of candour or remorse" and criticised him for not admitting to these offences when he was convicted of other offences in 2013. Hall did not react to the sentence as he listened to the proceedings through headphones, while his victim, who was also in court, wiped away tears with a handkerchief as details of the offences were mentioned. The former broadcaster, who was accused of abusing two girls between 1976 and 1981, is already serving a 30-month jail term after he pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting 13 other girls, one as young as nine. His original 15-month sentence, for abuse that occurred between 1967 and 1985, was later doubled at the Court of Appeal. Speaking after the hearing, the Chief Crown Prosecutor for the North West, Nazir Afzal, said Hall's convictions "were only made possible by the courage of his victims". "I would like to thank them for coming forward and ensuring that he was brought to justice," he said.

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A serial sex attacker who targeted women and girls aged between 16 and 50, threatening to kill his victims if they screamed, has been jailed for life.

John Williams, 47, of Essetford Road, Ashford was told he must serve at least seven years, but might never be freed.

Canterbury Crown Court heard the 29 offences dated back as far as 1991.

He admitted 10 sex assaults, one assault bid, an indecent assault and one theft and asked for 16 theft and sex offences to be taken into account.

The offences included an assault on a 23-year-old woman as she walked her dog along a footpath near Singleton Lake on 2 August 2013.

A 47-year-old woman was attacked off Britannia Lane in September 2012 and a 16-year-old girl was assaulted in woods off Wesley School Road in June 2012.

Other assaults took place in Ashford and Chatham.

One of Williams's victims told BBC South East the attack had affected her whole family, which made it "twice as hard" for her.

"My confidence is shot right down," she said.

"I can't go to sleep without knowing everything in the house is locked. It's really difficult."

It has emerged the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is carrying out an inquiry into the Kent Police investigation.

Williams was identified as a suspect in October 2012 after an appeal for information.

But by the time he was interviewed and a DNA sample was taken in September 2013, which linked him to the attacks, two more assaults had taken place.

Kent Police have not commented on the IPCC inquiry.

Det Insp Richard Vickery said Williams subjected his victims to very frightening ordeals.

"The evidence they were able to provide without doubt forced Williams to admit his guilt," he said.

"I hope today's sentence goes some way to providing closure to the families affected."

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A pervert who sexually abused a 13-year-old schoolboy has been jailed for three years. Adam Greenhough, 30, drove over to the Bradford area in January 2011 to pick up the boy after school and a judge heard yesterday that the teenager was still wearing his school uniform when he was driven on to moorland where the abuse took place. Bradford Crown Court heard how Greenhough, who has since been diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome and autism, initially contacted the boy through an internet chat site which was meant for over 18s. But before their meeting he became aware that the youngster, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was under 16. Judge Peter Benson said despite that Greenhough, who had no previous convictions, went on to arrange a meeting with the teenager where the sexual abuse took place. The judge said Greenhough, who was himself 26 at the time, must have appreciated that the complainant was much younger than him and a vulnerable young man. You, nonetheless, went on to seek sexual gratification with him, said the Judge Benson. Greenhough had always denied the offences until he entered guilty pleas in March this year and last September a previous trial at which the complainant gave evidence had to be abandoned. Judge Benson said the impact statement relating to Greenhoughs offences indicated the strain and misery suffered by the boy and his family as a result of his refusal to accept his responsibility until a late stage. Greenhough, of Mixenden Court, Halifax, pleaded guilty in March to two offences of sexual activity with a child and one of meeting the youngster after sexual grooming. In addition to the three-year prison sentence, Judge Benson made an order banning Greenhough from having any contact with the boy again. And he will also have to register as a sex offender with the police for the rest of his life. Barrister Edward Bindloss submitted that a suspended prison sentence could be considered in his clients case, particularly bearing in mind his difficulties and the impact that any prison sentence would have on him. Mr Bindloss pointed out that the case did not involved any threats or inducements towards the young boy and Judge Benson accepted that it was not the usual case of predatory grooming. This was out of character and there is no pattern of misbehaviour,'' said Mr Bindloss. It is a single incident and it is three-and-a-half years ago. In the three-and-a-half years there has been no repeat of this incident at all. After the case Detective Inspector Chris Stones, of West Yorkshire Polices Protective Services Department, said: Greenhough took advantage of his victims age and vulnerability to carry out a sex attack on him. I would like to thank the victim for his courage in coming forward, and hope that the sentence passed down today will give him some closure. West Yorkshire Police will always investigate offences involving the abuse of children thoroughly and sensitively, with a view to bringing those responsible to justice.

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A paedophile who sexually assaulted a girl and filmed some of the abuse has been jailed for more than a decade.

The abuse by Lee Rider, 48, spanned five years and only came to light because the girl confided in someone she trusted.

Police were called on 11 January last year and Rider was arrested. The girl told officers Rider abused her sexually and forced her to perform sexual acts on him. He had also recorded some of the abuse.

She said Rider told her it would “help his mental health” if she did what he wanted and he would also buy her things, which worried her because she knew it meant she would need to do “something for him” in return. 

Rider was interviewed twice by police but provided prepared statements denying the allegations and answered “no comment” to all further questions.

However Rider, of Oak Crescent, Biggleswade, was later charged with a total of 12 offences including:

• Two counts of sexual assault on a child under 13
• Two counts of raping a child under 13
• One count of attempting to rape a child under 13
• One count of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity
• Two counts of sexually assaulting a child over the age of 13
• One count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
• One count of taking indecent images of children
• Two counts of making indecent images of children

He pleaded guilty to all offences on the day his trial was due to begin earlier this year, and was sentenced at Peterborough Crown Court on Friday (8 November) where he was handed a total of 13 years in prison.

A restraining order preventing him from contacting his victim, and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) to monitor future offending, were both made indefinitely.

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A man who raped a 12-year-old while on bail awaiting trial for having sex with a girl of 14 has been jailed. Wesley Roberts, 22, of Old Colwyn, Conwy, attacked the girl in a park after he had befriended her on Facebook, Mold Crown Court heard. Roberts admitted the rape and sexual activity with the 14-year-old and was jailed for six years and two and a half years consecutively. Judge Niclas Parry told Roberts he had considered an extended sentence. Roberts was ordered to register with the police as a sex offender for life. The court heard Roberts formed an online relationship with the 12-year-old while he was on bail awaiting trial for the other offence. He raped the girl the first time they met, the court heard. Judge Parry said: "You knew she was only 12. "You are a high risk of harm to children in the form of sexual offences and rape." The court heard Roberts had previously befriended the 14-year-old on Facebook in the summer of 2012, and they had sex five or six times. Det Insp Lisa Surridge said: "It is important that people understand the part that social network sites such as Facebook can play in this type of offence. "The victims in this case and their families have demonstrated immense courage and resilience in standing up to the offender. "North Wales Police takes matters of this nature very seriously and it is reassuring to see this reflected in the sentence passed out."