Latest Offenders

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Two paedophiles from Devon who sexuality assaulted a child and livestreamed the abuse to an American paedophile via skype have been jailed today, 26th October.

Craig Forbes, 36 from Torquay and Sarah Gotham, 34 from Plymouth were sentenced to a total of 17 years at Plymouth Crown Court.

The pair were found guilty of multiple sexual assaults against a girl under the age of 13. Gotham was jailed for nine years and Forbes for eight years.

They came to the attention of police after the FBI arrested a man in Florida for the possession of indecent images of children, in Florida. Which led them to Kori Ellis, a paedophile in San Francisco who had struck up an online friendship with Gotham and Forbes.

Gotham and Forbes streamed the live abuse; the child victim was believed to have been drugged at the time to Ellis via Skype between December 2012 and March 2013.

First arrested in 2015, Gotham was bailed, with Forbes jailed for 20 months. Devon and Cornwall police travelled to San Francisco in 2016 to obtain a witness statement from Ellis, Ellis also positively identified Gotham as the woman she saw abusing a child via webcam. Forbes and Gotham were re-arrested and later charged.

Detective Sergeant Brian Slade, from the Devon and Cornwall Paedophile Online Investigation Unit, said he was pleased with the outcome of this case:

We welcome the verdict which has led to these depraved people being put behind bars.

Gotham and Forbes carried out horrendous acts on a vulnerable child. While Forbes admitted what he had done, Gotham has acted completely without remorse and has always claimed that she had nothing to do with it. Her defence, which the jury saw through, was that the woman on the live stream was someone else calling themselves Sarah and using her Skype account.

Forbes is clearly a very dangerous sex offender. However hard we find it as a society to believe that females can enter into such actions for their own enjoyment, the fact of the matter is that there is no excusing that both Gotham and Ellis are paedophiles who acted purely for their own pleasure.

Ellis was very open from the start. She gave an extraordinary account about her behaviour and what had happened with Gotham and Forbes. It is unusual for a paedophile to be so frank; she was a compelling witness although her evidence was clearly distasteful, and at times harrowing for the jury to listen to in court.

This was an incredibly complex case, and the police would like to thank both the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and our colleagues in the American law enforcement agencies, who couldnt do enough to help us.

It was also extremely rare for FBI agents to give evidence in person in a UK court. We would also praise the judge and jury in this case who sat later into the evening on a number of days to accommodate the time difference for USA witnesses.

Todays sentence is also testament to how hard our police investigation team has worked to overcome such obstacles to bring this case to court. This sends a very strong message that we will do everything we can to ensure that the victims of such heinous crimes are safeguarded and offenders are brought to justice.

Howard Phillips, Senior Crown Prosecutor, praised the assistance given by international law enforcement which brought these offenders to UK attention.

He said: With the assistance of San Francisco Police Department and the FBI, the CPS was able to secure witness testimony from an American prisoner who later gave evidence in court; that with technical evidence found on devices seized in the USA was used to present a strong case.

This case shows that wherever online sexual abuse is uncovered, we can work with international law enforcement agencies to pursue offenders and bring them before the courts.

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AN actor who was set to play an Ugly Sister in a forthcoming production of Cinderella at Malvern Theatres has been sacked after performing a sex act on a train.

Wesley Mustapha, who performs under the stage name Wezley Sebastian, was arrested by police at Southampton Central Railway Station after travellers spotted him touching himself in a busy carriage.

Malvern Theatres declined to comment, because Mustapha had not been booked by the theatre but by UK Productions.

Martin Dodd, the producer for UK productions said: "As soon as this came to our attention, his contract was cancelled.

"He had never worked for us before. This would have been his first time."

The show's director, David Ball, will replace Mustapha as an Ugly Sister.

The court heard Mustapha had spent a "heavy night drinking" before he boarded the train, which was destined for his hometown of Portsmouth.

Shocked onlookers urged Mustapha to stop, because children as young as ten were in the same carriage.

Mustapha pleaded not guilty to exposure, but was found guilty in absence when Southampton Magistrates' Court heard his case, last month.

Mitigating, Andrew Coley told the court that Mustapha had been under the influence of alcohol as he carried out his "inappropriate behaviour".

Mr Coley said: "He was found with his trousers down. He had no recollection of this and was seen by someone on the train who assumed he was sleeping."

Mustapha, 37, also pleaded to be in possession of cannabis when he was arrested by officers on January 29.

The court heard that as a result of his actions, Mustapha had lost a contract with a Birmingham theatre company after he explained the situation.

Mustapha previously enjoyed a varied career within the theatre an actor, director and choreographer.

He starred as Miss Understanding in Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert Read as well as a cast member of the West End production of Hairspray.

At his trial, which Mustapha did not attend, the court heard that he told officers when arrested: "I do what I want with my body. I understand my actions may upset people. But I am very liberal."

Witness Shane Dartmoor, a bartender, said that he saw the defendant had his trousers around his knees.

He said: He didnt really seem to see what he was doing as wrong.

All I thought about was the other women and children in the carriage.

Mr Dartmoor added: "It was disgusting."

Mustapha, of Old School Drive, Hayling Island, was given an 18 month community order and 100 hours of unpaid work.

He will also need to inform police of any changes to his circumstances for the next five years.

He was ordered to pay 620 costs and an 85 victim surcharge.

Cinderella will be staged at Malvern Theatres from December 14 to January 7.

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A man who was caught in a sting by a paedophile hunter has been jailed for child sex offences. Robert Babey, 68, was arrested in July following a vigilante operation which was filmed by BBC Inside Out South. He admitted attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming and multiple breaches of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order. Sentencing him to seven years in prison, Judge Gary Burrell QC said he had been "publically humiliated". Southampton Crown Court heard Babey was found in possession of sex toys when he arrived to meet who he thought was a 14-year-old boy but was in fact paedophile hunter Stephen Dure who had posed as a boy online while communicating with the former businessman. The encounter was filmed as part of a BBC Inside Out South documentary about Southampton-based Mr Dure's activities. In the programme the National Police Chiefs' Council criticised vigilante activity for potentially compromising police operations. In sentencing, Judge Burrell QC said that Babey, of Grantham Road, Eastleigh, was "at high risk of serious harm to children". "You may well have been publically humiliated. You deserve to be. It was an appalling thing to do," he added. Babey had first been convicted in 1990 for indecent assault. He was sentenced to seven years in prison, of which he was ordered to serve two-thirds before being released on licence. He was also handed a new Sexual Harm Prevention Order for life.

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AN UNEMPLOYED man has been jailed after raping a teenage girl. Reece Pettitt attacked his 17-year-old victim at a hostel in Horsham where they were both living at the time. The 20-year-old invited himself into into her room where he began to make unwanted sexual approaches. He ignored her repeated pleas to leave before carrying out the rape. Detectives said Pettitt and victim barely knew each other. Pettitt, of Charrington Way, Broadbridge Heath, was sentenced to four-and-a-half years imprisonment at Lewes Crown Court following the incident in October 2015. He will also be registered sex offender for life. He was found not guilty of attempting to pervert the course of justice in Crawley in April last year in relation to this case. Detective Constable Nicky Beard said: The victim in this case was vulnerable and showed real courage in reporting this matter and giving evidence at court.

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A teacher has been jailed for sexual offences against two boys after meeting them through an online dating app. Thomas Goodey, 27, took one of the boys to a hotel where he gave him vodka before carrying out sexual acts. He had a sexual encounter with the other child after inviting him to his mother's house while she was away, Portsmouth Crown Court heard. Goodey, from the Isle of Wight, was jailed for four years after previously admitting six offences. The school said the teacher was dismissed shortly after the allegations emerged. 'My life has suffered' The court was told Goodey, of Daniel Street, Ryde, met the boys through the dating app Grindr and later became aware they were underage. The performing arts teacher invited the first boy to his mother's house in September last year. The teenager reported it in February, when Goodey was arrested. In a statement read out in court, the boy said: "My life has suffered. I have been unhappy, less patient and I have issues with trusting people." In police interviews, Goodey admitted spending the night with the second boy at a hotel in October 2016. Judge David Melville QC told Goodey: "You should have said no. You weakened when you should have resisted." Goodey pleaded guilty to five counts of sexual activity with a child and one of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. The judge imposed a sexual harm prevention order and placed Goodey on the sex offenders' register.

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A CONVICTED paedophile dressed up as a clown at Saints’ home games as “he liked having his picture taken with families”, it has been revealed.

Season ticket holder Kyle Fourie “concerned police officers” when he told them he would go to games in funny outfits to encourage people to have their photo with him.

Fourie, 26, was convicted of possessing indecent images in April 2016 – and was charged four days later after officers found him with more than 100 videos of boys and girls aged between five and 13.

He was exposed again in February, this time by paedophile hunters TRAP after he believed he was going to meet and abuse a 13-year-old boy.

Southampton Crown Court heard that when Fourie was initially sentenced last year, he was placed on a sexual harm prevention order.

But while serving the sentence he was caught with even more images.

When officers continued their investigations into Fourie they said he was found with briefcases full of newspaper clippings of child abuse cases as well as notes and stories he wrote depicting sexual activities with children.

In February, Fourie then contacted someone he believed to be a teenager, but who was, in fact, members of TRAP.

The group, operating under the fake identity of 13-year-old Tyler on Facebook, were contacted by Fourie.

Fourie sent a number of sexually explicit messages before arranging to meet the ‘child’ earlier this year outside a school in Millbrook.

When he arrived he was confronted by the vigilante group. Officers arrested Fourie and found in his rucksack porn, condoms and sexual enhancement tablets. After the sting, police raided his home again and found X-rated DVDs involving children.

Prosecuting, James Newton-Price told the court that officers had grown concerned about Fourie during unannounced visits to his property between the two sets of offences.

He said: “The officers were concerned that, despite being under a sexual order, he attended all Southampton Football Club matches as he was a season ticket holder.

“He liked to dress as a clown at games as he would always be asked for photographs from families, which meant he was a particular risk to children.”

Mr Newton-Price added: “In July 2016, officers also found magazine and newspaper cuttings of children and articles of child abuse and kidnap stories from the press.”

The court heard that Fourie had been previously convicted on a number of occasions for possessing indecent images of children.

He was also cautioned in 2010 when he admitted taking a picture of a child on the toilet while he volunteered at Mencap in Southampton.

Mitigating, Robert Forrest said Fourie’s offending “was linked to his disability”.

Dr Kevin O’Shea, who assessed Fourie, found him to have learning difficulties that meant it was not possible to “change his intellect, we can only try and change his behaviour”.

Judge Christopher Parker QC sentenced Fourie, of Tatchbury Mount, Calmore, to a hospital order. In order for Fourie to leave hospital, he will have to be signed off by the secretary of state or in a tribunal.

Following the case, an NSPCC spokesperson said: “Fourie’s attempts to groom a child are yet another stark reminder of the risks children and young people face online.”

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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.

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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.

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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".

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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."

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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."