Latest Offenders

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A pervert used hidden cameras to film a young boy, Southampton Crown Court heard.

Scott Sharman secretly filmed a pre-teen child undressing and bathing, but later denied knowledge of the technology, telling police he could not remember doing it.

His offending emerged after indecent images were found on his mobile phone.

Prosecutor Keely Harvey said the images, reported to police, included children as young as a few weeks old... on the defendants phone.

The 39-year-old was arrested at home, his phone seized.

Ms Harvey said: The defendant told police he liked younger men and had, as he described it, a little problem. But the pictures showed children in their first few weeks of infancy.

It was at this point the officers were still looking on his phone when they saw still and moving images of the... boy.

It came to light the defendant had set up a hidden camera which filmed the boy getting dressed and undressed.

On one occasion, Sharman touched the boy over his groin and private area and filmed it, Ms Harvey said.

When the boy caught Sharman filming him urinating behind a bush, he told him to go away and said what he was doing was paedophilic.

In his second interview, Sharman denied filming the boy, claiming videos and images were taken accidentally, and said: He said he was not sexually interested in young boys.

Defence lawyer Stephen Tricker said Sharman struggled after his marriage breakdown and is an isolated man.

He added: He is in denial and is shameful and has an inability to acknowledge it because of fear and retribution. The difficulty is his lack of acceptance of what he has done.

Sharman, of Obelisk Road, admitted four charges of voyeurism, assaulting a boy under 13, three charges of making indecent images, possession of a prohibited child image, and taking indecent photos of a child.

Judge Nicholas Rowland said he could sense no remorse from him at all, and denial is an understatement.

Sharman was jailed for three years, given a 10-year sexual harm prevention order, and must register with police for life.

Description

A paedophile who called police checks on his phone "intrusive" was warned by a judge today that his online activities are "transparent".

Simon Jones had been found with indecent images of children and made subject to a sexual harm prevention order last year.

But a court heard today he breached that order three times. Mold Crown Court heard a police officer made a routine check on Jones on January 30 this year. Prosecutor Laura Knightly said said they found he had breached his SHPO after creating a Snapchat account and activating "Disappearing Messages" on WhatsApp.

Amy Edwards, defending, said Jones, of Howell Avenue, Rhuddlan, said he had not been trying to hide his actions. It was not an excuse but Jones had been "extremely embarrassed" by his previous conviction.

He had been subject to the terms of the SHPO and sex offender notification requirements. Ms Edwards said the breaches had had "nothing to do" with images of children, apps or chatrooms which related to his initial offences (for which he was made subject to the SHPO).

His mental health has been "dire" with severe anxiety and depression. He has a young family and lost his mother three months ago.

The judge Her Honour Nicola Jones said the defendant had been found with illegal images of children of category A, B and C between November 17, 2023 and June 11 last year.

He was given a suspended jail sentence and made subject to the SHPO. But between October 28 last year and January 1 this year he breached the order three times after installing WhatsApp's "auto delete" messages on his phone.

The judge said Jones said police "intruded" on his life. But she said after his original conviction "your online life becomes transparent".

She sentenced Jones to 12 months imprisonment for each breach, with two running concurrently.

Description

A paedophile who plotted to sexually abuse children is now in jail after being captured by undercover police officers.

Salvatore Zizzari was behind a series of sick online messages concerning plans to sexually abuse young children.

The 33-year-old started talking to another adult who he thought both shared his depraved fantasies and could make them happen. 

Unbeknownst to Zizzari, however, the person in the chatroom wasn’t who he thought but was actually an undercover police operative.

After Zizzari agreed to meet up at a pub in West Bridgford on 30 October last year, a police sting was set up to catch him red-handed.

An undercover officer secretly recorded Zizzari confirming his intentions to travel with the officer to a location and abuse her children.

Zizzari was detained and arrested shortly afterwards.

He was charged with three counts of arranging the commission of a child sex offence and four counts of making indecent photographs of children.

After denying the charges against him, a trial was arranged for Zizzari in April, which ended with a unanimous verdict from the jury, who found him guilty on all counts.

Zizzari, of Langley, Peterborough, returned to Nottingham Crown Court to be sentenced today (28 August).

He was jailed for 10 years. 

Detective Constable Rich Cashmore, of the Internet Child Exploitation team based in Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“Zizzari’s plans to sexually abuse young children were both disturbing and disgusting in equal measure.

“He shared his depraved fantasies online with someone he believed could make them a reality and was a likeminded individual.

“Thankfully, this wasn’t the case and the person he was chatting to was actually an undercover police operative.

“When Zizzari then travelled to Nottingham to discuss his perverse plans further, an undercover officer met with him and secretly recorded what he said.

“That police operation gathered all the evidence needed to capture Zizzari and convince a jury of his guilt, when he inexplicably decided to deny doing anything wrong.

“Zizzari is a dangerous individual who is now rightly serving a custodial sentence, and countless children have been safeguarded as a result."

Description

A woman has been jailed after committing abhorrent sex attacks against a teenage boy.

"Obsessive and rude" Anne Lunt subjected her victim to acts of violence during her disturbing and predatory crimes.

The teen was left "scared to tell anybody" about his harrowing experiences for years.

While the depraved community café volunteer still "maintains her vehement denial of the offences", her victim told the court: "I think this abuse will live with me for the rest of my life."

Lunt wept as she was jailed for four-and-a-half years, Liverpool Echo reports.

A judge said she had "distorted views about what is acceptable" and labelled her "someone who wishes to be in charge and do as she wishes".

He described her courtroom tears as "a brief and temporary episode of her thinking about somebody else".

Liverpool Crown Court heard that Lunt performed sex acts on the complainant on two occasions.

She called her victim a "dirty b******" and hit him following the first incident.

Lunt continued to touch him "despite his protestations" during the second ordeal.

The 59-year-old was also said to have "told him that she could do what she wanted" as she subjected him to the assaults.

Lunt, of Sefton Moss Villas in Litherland, wiped away tears as prosecutor David Watson read the boy's statement: "I get a lot of flashbacks of what she did to me."

He added: "The flashbacks are painful and upsetting. They range from me being angry and snappy with people, but more often than not make me feel suicidal.

"For years, I struggled to tell anybody [about the abuse]. As I got older, I knew what she did was wrong.

"However, I was so scared to tell anybody. I hated having a secret. I hope I can move on, but I think this abuse will live with me for the rest of my life."

Lunt has one previous conviction for assault in 2021 after biting her husband on the finger.

Defending, Rachel Oakdene said: "Your honour is aware of the background of these proceedings, particularly in relation to mental health issues and, perhaps, the vulnerability of the defendant.

"On a more positive note, there are references in support of Mrs Lunt. It is clear that people close to Mrs Lunt have taken time and effort to support her and do, perhaps, show a positive side to her character.

"In relation to her conviction, Mrs Lunt maintains her vehement denial of the offences but understands that she, today, falls to be sentenced in accordance with the jury's verdict.

"Before she was remanded into custody, she was residing alone. She was not in employment, but was in receipt of state benefits."

Ms Oakdene outlined how Lunt had previously worked in a chemical laboratory for 22 years.

She said: "She has no similar convictions. This is Mrs Lunt's first time in custody.

"To her credit, there have been no adjudications or negative behaviours recorded against her by the prison authorities. She is using her time constructively.

"Dealing with mental health issues, there is no clear evidence of severe illness but, over the years, there has been a decline in her mental wellbeing.

"There was an anxiety episode in 2021 which contributed to significant difficulties and her marital breakdown.

"Mrs Lunt is aware that, for the first time, she faces a custodial sentence. I simply ask the court to impose a sentence which does not have a crushing effect on Mrs Lunt, which will allow her some hope for the future and which will allow her to move on.

"Intervention will allow her to put this very sorry episode behind her as soon as possible."

Lunt was unanimously found guilty of two sexual offences following a trial.

Sentencing, Judge Denis Watson KC said: "Suffice to say that this all comes about because you are someone with a very domineering character, with very fixed but distorted views about what is acceptable.

"Basically, you are someone who wishes to be in control, in charge and do as you wish.

"You refuse to consider the effect on [others], which has had a substantial and very harmful impact on [the victim].

"There was perhaps just a glimmer when his statement was read out, as I observed you. Perhaps, just for a moment, you were concerned with him rather than yourself.

"If that is right, that is but a brief and temporary episode of you thinking about somebody else."

Speaking about a psychological report, the judge said: "The report refers to a decline in your mental health and your refusal to engage with support, your distrust of professionals and evidence of paranoia.

"You are somebody who is demanding and rude. There is evidence of obsessiveness and a need to control. There are common themes that occur, not just in reports but with features of the case.

"You have what is described as a controlling temperament. Everything I saw at the trial would lead me to endorse and confirm these assessments of your character.

"There is but one conviction on your record for a physical assault of your husband, a conviction borne of exactly the same determination by you to be in control.

"There is much evidence that you are, in fact, a dangerous offender, but your age and limited antecedents have persuaded me that it is not necessary to pass an extended sentence.

"I have not overlooked the references from those who know you. Those short documents show a different side of you.

"Your contribution to a community café and others outside of the café are, I am afraid, of limited weight against the controlling, obsessive elements of your character and temperament that are exhibited in your behaviour towards [the victim]."

Lunt was also handed a restraining order preventing her from contacting her victim for 10 years.

She will be required to sign the sex offenders' register for life.

Description

A man who sexually assaulted a woman in Chelmsford has been jailed thanks to work by your Neighbourhood Policing Team.

Fifty-five year-old Adam Johnson was identified by an officer from Chelmsford’s NPT after the assault in Cornhill on 13 March year was caught on CCTV.

When Johnson was spotted in a shop on Broomfield Road two days later our officers attended and arrested him.

He was also arrested on suspicion of a sexual assault which took place on a bus between Chelmsford and Maldon on 7 October the previous year.

Johnson, of Baxters, Danbury, was later charged with two counts of sexual assault and admitted the charges at Chelmsford Crown Court on 11 July.

At the same court on Tuesday (26 August) he was jailed for two years and given a five year sexual harm prevention order.

He has also been put on the Sex Offenders’ Register for 10 years.

Sergeant Graham Thomas, from the Neighbourhood Policing Team, said:

“I want to pay tribute to the tenacity and dedication of the officer in the case, PC Chris Cleverley, who’s tireless work has seen Johnson put behind bars.

“I want to praise the victims in this case who demonstrated great bravery in reporting to us what happened.

“We value our neighbourhoods and work hard every day to keep you safe. We are laser focussed in our task of protecting you and taking people who pose a risk to you off our streets.”

Description

A ‘VILE’ man from East Yorkshire has been jailed after he attempted to groom someone who he believed to be a teenage girl online.

Phillip Buckingham, 61, of Dunhill Road, Goole, pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and was sentenced to nine months in prison.

He was also given a sexual harm prevention order and will be placed on the sex offenders' register for 10 years.

An investigation was launched into Buckingham in November 2022 after he used messaging apps under the username ‘funtimefred’ to contact a social media profile which he believed belonged to a 13-year-old girl.

Over the course of several days, between Sunday, November 6 and Wednesday, 9 November 2022, he sent a series of sexually explicit messages, including an indecent image of himself, and encouraged the recipient to send a photo in return.

But the profile was a decoy operated by an undercover police officer, set up to identify and stop individuals attempting to talk to children online.

Following further enquiries, officers observed Buckingham using his phone outside his place of work. He was then arrested on suspicion of engaging in sexual communication with a child and taken into custody to be interviewed.

Officer in the case, Detective Constable Paul Twidale said:

“Buckingham is a vile individual who sought to exploit who he believed to be a vulnerable child.

“When questioned, Buckingham denied his intentions, stating that if those he had spoken to online had turned out to be under 18, he would have ended the chat.

“Thankfully no child was harmed as Buckingham was talking to a decoy social media account, and I am pleased he is now behind bars and facing the consequences of his disturbing behaviour.

“I’d like to commend the dedication and professionalism of our undercover officers, whose efforts play a vital role in protecting children and bringing offenders to justice.

“We take reports of sexual offences extremely seriously and we will continue to do everything we can to bring offenders before the courts.”

Description

A serving volunteer Met Special Constable has been found guilty of committing several serious offences, including rape of a child under thirteen.

Following an investigation by Thames Valley Police, a Metropolitan Police Service Special Constable has been convicted of sex offences committed in Buckinghamshire and London.

Gwyn Samuels, formerly known as James Bubb, aged 27, of no fixed abode, was found guilty of a number of offences by a jury at Aylesbury Crown Court sitting at Amersham Law Courts today (28/8), following a 12 day trial.

The defendant was found guilty of the following counts relating to victim one:

• One count of assault of a child under 13 by penetration
• One count of rape of a child under 13
• One count of sexual activity with a child
• One count of of assault by penetration

The defendant was found guilty of the following count relating to victim two:

• One count of rape

The jury found the defendant not guilty of one count of rape and one count of sexual activity with a child. Both of these counts were in relation to victim one.

At the time of the offences, the defendant identified as a male called James Bubb, but during our investigation, which was supported by The Metropolitan Police Service, changed their name to Gwyn Samuels and now self-identifies as a transgender woman.

When the victims reported the offences to the police, they stated they had been committed by a man that they knew as James Bubb.

The defendant raped and abused the first victim over a period of years at locations in London and Chesham, the latter where the defendant was living at the time. The victim was 12-years-old when the offences started.

The defendant raped the second victim on an occasion between 2018 and 2023. The victim was 18-years-old in 2018.

The defendant met both victims online, through the website Omegle and the app Kik.

The defendant is a Metropolitan Police Service Special Constable, but is currently suspended from the role.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Kirsty Pendle said:

“Gwyn Samuels, previously known at the time of the offences as James Bubb, is a dangerous, predatory sex offender.

“The abuse inflicted on the victims by the defendant was appalling, therefore I am pleased the jury has convicted the defendant of a number of offences on the indictment.

“I would like to commend the courage and bravery shown by the victims in coming forward and reporting these crimes and their strength throughout this investigation and court proceedings.

“This case demonstrates that Thames Valley Police takes reports of sexual offences extremely seriously.

“We have specifically trained officers who will listen and support you at every stage.

“We keep an open mind as to any other offending committed by this defendant.

“The defendant, who at the time of the offences identified as a male called James Bubb, used the website Omegle and the app Kik to meet the victims."

Description

A married lawyer who once helped run Britain's best post office paid an underage boy in Roblox game vouchers in return for explicit videos.

Sean Hudson, 62, of Romsey Drive, Boldon, groomed the child, who was living in the Glasgow area, over the Telegram online messaging app using an alias. He asked the boy to record sexual videos and engage in acts of sexual touching, then sent him codes to make purchases on the gaming platform.

Hudson, who has now been jailed, suggested visiting him in person although no meetings were ever actually arranged.

The vulnerable teen, who had health problems and spent a lot of time at home in his bedroom, said he went along with Hudson's sickening requests because he was getting gifts, effectively bribing him.

Prosecutor Daniel Ingham told Newcastle Crown Court the offences happened between March 31 and May 28 last year. The victim sent a number of sexualised images, and now feels "shame, frustration and guilt that he engaged with a predator" and no longer feels safe. Mr Ingham described graphic requests by Hudson, who said he was going to "coach" the boy.

Hudson, a solicitor, helped run West Boldon Post Office in South Tyneside when it was named Independent Post Office Retailer of the year at the Retail Industry Awards in 2019.

He admitted causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual communication and having sexual communication with a child.

Recorder James Wood KC sentenced Hudson to 21 months behind bars and said he must register as a sex offender for ten years.

The recorder told him:

"Initially you asked questions about his day to day life and having secured his confidence you then began to ask him to send you sexual pictures, videos, and engage in acts of sexual touching himself. In return you offered him money in the form of online vouchers for the sexual images or videos, vouchers which would enable him to make purchases on his Roblox account."

Recorder Wood KC added:

"By reason of your profession as a solicitor and lawyer you should have well known the gravity of the acts you were perpetrating upon your victim and of the consequences their discovery would have for you and him. You must have been fully aware of the gravity of what you were doing and a qualified officer of the court conducting themselves in this way will inevitably be regarded as offending with real gravity."

Mark Harrison, defending, said Hudson was involved in a professional company for a quarter of a century but resigned from that partnership when charged. He has been married for 35 years, has adult children, has since sought counselling, and provided references from colleagues and friends about the other part of his character.

Mr Harrison said Hudson was going through a "time of particular stress" when he committed the offences, had been working too hard while carrying out voluntary roles in the community, made no steps to have an actual meeting with the victim, and has made suicide attempts during the proceedings.

Mr Harrison told the court:

"He has regret and remorse towards the victim and the victim's family. He is deeply sorry for the harm he has caused to all of them. He has lost his good name, career, standing in the community, friendships and trust of his family."

Description

A pervert trucker was injured as he was 'accosted' by paedophile hunters at his North Staffordshire home.

Gary Mosedale hurt his back as he tried to stop the group from entering his property in Blythe Bridge.

But the 58-year-old was arrested following the confrontation. Now Mosedale has been jailed for four years.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard that in late May 2024 the HGV driver messaged a Facebook profile of a 'girl' who immediately identified herself as aged 13.

The conversation moved to WhatsApp and became sexual with Mosedale explaining what orgasms were. He instructed her to carry our sex acts on herself. He was in fact communicating with a paedophile hunter.

Prosecutor Jonathan Dickinson said:

"Mosedale said, 'It is too bad you are not 16'. He called her beautiful. He said, 'When you are 16 or 17 boys will be after one thing'.

"He asked if she had seen a c**k. He went on to explain what sex and orgasms were. He instructed her to play with her breasts. He told her she will enjoy it. He showed a video of a woman but deleted it. He encouraged her to try it, telling her she is doing it right."

A hunter group attended Mosedale's home address on May 31.

Mr Dickinson added:

"The initial interaction was caught on CCTV. He tried to block them from entering his house."

Mosedale, of Bridgwood Road, Blythe Bridge, pleaded guilty to attempted sexual communication with a child; attempting to cause a child to engage in sexual activity; and attempting to cause a child to watch a sexual act. The court heard he has 17 previous convictions for 46 offences but no previous sexual offences.

Catherine O'Reilly, mitigating, said Mosedale had taken responsibility for his actions. He asked to be remanded in custody. Miss O'Reilly said: "He has nothing of a sexual nature on his record. He received an injury to his back as a result of the actions of the group.

"He has struggled in the custodial environment. He is now in a wheelchair. He has sought medical help. He is working, packing tea bags. He worked as an HGV driver prior to being remanded."

Judge Richard McConaghy said:

"In late May you engaged in sexualised conversation online with a profile you believed to be a 13-year-old girl. You moved on to provide specific instructions of how to masturbate and encouraged that profile to do so. You also sent videos of a sexual nature, showing the acts that you were describing. The conversation lasted over a few days.

"It turned out, of course, that the profile was not in fact a 13-year-old girl. But that does not change the fact that you believed it to be so.

"You have been convicted on 17 previous occasions for 46 offences, but the last of those was over 20 years ago. None of your previous convictions were of a sexual nature.

"I acknowledge what took place in terms of your remand into custody. It was at your own request, for your own protection. I have seen the video clip as to what took place at the front door of your address. I have expressed my disquiet at the way you were accosted at your front door."

Mosedale was made the subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and was placed on the sex offenders' register for life.

Description

A man has been convicted of a series of sexual offences against women.

Alexander Steven, 52, was found guilty of numerous sexual offences, including rape and attempted rape, at Edinburgh High Court today, Wednesday, 27 August, 2025.

The offences took place between October 2020 and December 2022 in Dundee.

Detectives began an investigation into Steven in January 2023 after a woman came forward and reported a non-recent rape.

An extensive investigation identified a further four victims.

Steven was arrested and charged in April 2023.

Detective Inspector Craig Ross:

"Alexander Steven is a calculating and violent sexual predator who targeted a number of women over a two year period.

"His behaviour was appalling and he will now face the consequences of his actions.

"The fact that he has been convicted today is a tremendous credit to the women who came forward to police.

"I hope this conviction gives confidence to others who may have experienced anything similar to come forward, safe in the knowledge that we will thoroughly investigate.

“I would like to reassure anyone who comes forward that you will be listened to and supported throughout."

Description

A paedophile sexually abused a 14-year-old schoolgirl while on bail for grooming a 13-year-old, a court heard.

Cian Williams, 18 at the time, sent sexual messages to the 13-year-old on Snapchat in 2024, offering her cannabis for a sex act and requesting explicit images. While on bail, he targeted a 14-year-old, inviting her to his home for sex and sending her explicit photos.

Williams, now 20, admitted to multiple offences, including sexual activity with a child, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and grooming. A charge of perverting the course of justice was left on file. He was sentenced to nine years’ detention, with two-thirds served in custody and the rest on licence.

The 13-year-old victim felt betrayed, struggled to trust others, and feared encountering Williams. The 14-year-old experienced anger, loneliness, panic attacks, and nightmares. Defence counsel noted Williams’ bipolar disorder diagnosis and immaturity, but Judge Nicola Jones deemed the offences too serious for anything but immediate custody.

Williams received an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, barring him from school grounds, a 15-year restraining order against contacting the victims, and a deprivation order for his mobile phones.

Description

A man who raped a 13-year-old girl in Dulwich has been convicted of breaching a court order.

Gholahun Shittu was jailed for eight years in 2015 when aged 24 he befriended a 13-year-old girl using Facebook then raped her.

Shittu, now 34, of Wards Wharf Approach in Silvertown, has now been convicted of further offences.

He was found guilty of three charges of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) by failing to let police inspect three phones in his possession in May last year.

The SHPO was made to protect the public following his 2015 conviction.

Shittu appeared at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on August 13.

He was sentenced to six months in custody suspended for one year.

Description

A predatory sex offender who groomed a child from west Kent and then raped her in his flat has been jailed. 

Ako Hawla fled the country to try and avoid justice but was tracked down in France and returned under a European Arrest Warrant.

Officers were initially alerted to concerns for the victim’s welfare, after she was reported missing on 13 June 2019.

Groomed

Hawla had previously groomed the child through various social media platforms and apps and had persuaded her to meet him.

He was 19 at the time but when the victim told him she was only 13 he claimed he was also a juvenile.

They travelled to his address in Frobisher Road, Erith, where the victim was repeatedly abused.

Patrols searching for the missing child tracked her to the flat and when Hawla realised police were at his home he instructed the victim to pretend she simply sleeping on his couch. He told her to tell officers she was 17.

Hawla was arrested and later bailed, as investigating officers sought to build a successful case.

He then fled the country but in April 2024 was tracked down in France and extradited to the UK.

Extradited and jailed

A trial then took place at Woolwich Crown Court where Hawla, now aged 26, was found guilty of rape, as well as a further five sexual offences. He was also convicted of child abduction.

On 14 August 2025, Hawla was sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment.

He will have to serve at least two thirds of the sentence before he can be considered for parole. He was also made subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order. 

Detective Constable Kim Bashford said:

‘Hawla exploited a child’s trust in the most sinister and deplorable way. He struck up conversations with her through social media apps and after they met for the first time then subjected her to a truly terrifying ordeal.

'Having successfully pursued Hawla into Europe; it is really pleasing that we have now been able to finally ensure he has faced justice. I really do hope that the victim starts to feel safer and can rebuild her life now that he is prison.

Online safety

DC Bashford added:

‘I would also like to encourage parents to remind children of the precautions they should take when using the internet and social media apps.

'Children should only communicate with people that they know personally and report any suspicions or inappropriate advances from strangers to their parents, schools or the police.’

Description

A teenager sent videos of his penis to schoolgirls, a court has heard. Rio Thomas has been described as posing a high risk of harm to children.

The 19-year-old's barrister told Swansea Crown Court that her client had done very little in latter teenage years apart from staying in his bedroom and taking cannabis and cocaine on a daily basis.

Sending the teenager down, a judge said it was clear from everything he had read about Thomas that he had "an obsession with sexual matters" and said a "clear and structured plan" would need to be put in place to manage the defendant in the community.

Ieuan Rees, prosecuting, told the court that between June and December last year the defendant sent a series of videos of himself masturbating to girls using the messaging app Snapchat. He also sent the children sexually explicit messages, some of which referenced sex acts he wanted to engage in with his mother.

The court heard that when his victims blocked him from contacting them the defendant would create a new Snapchat account and resume his contact.

The matter was reported to police and the defendant was arrested in Briton Ferry on December 14. The prosecutor said that as the teenager was being taken to the waiting police van he asked if his handcuffs could be removed so he could put his jacket on - when the cuffs were released, he ran off.

The court heard that officers chased Thomas but were unable to find him. A drone was brought in to help search the area, and the defendant was located in Gethin Street some two hours later.

When interviewed, Thomas denied sending the videos, saying images of him were everywhere in Port Talbot, Maesteg and Bridgend as " I used to be a horny b******".

The court heard police were later able to link the Snapchat accounts from which the videos had been sent to Thomas and to addresses associated with Thomas, including his grandmother's house in Maesteg.

Rio Thomas, of Glanymor Street, Briton Ferry, had previously pleaded guilty to causing a child to watch a sexual act, engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, engaging in sexual communications with a child, and escaping lawful custody when he returned to the dock for sentencing. He asked for four counts of engaging in sexual communications with a child involving different young girls to be taken into account.

Thomas has one previous conviction for one offence of aggravated vehicle taking for which he was given a referral order.

Helen Randall, for Thomas, said the defendant began taking cannabis at the age of 14 and cocaine at the age of 15, and said he had spent his latter teenage years doing very little "apart from staying in his bedroom and using those drugs on a daily basis". She said it was clear from the pre-sentence report that the defendant could not explain his offending but said the report highlighted how his drug use and immaturity played their parts.

Judge Geraint Walters said it was clear from everything he had read about Thomas that he had "an obsession with sexual matters" and said the teenager had been described as posing a high risk of harm to children. He said a "clear and structured plan" would need to be put in place to manage the defendant in the community upon his release.

With discounts for his guilty pleas, Thomas was sentenced to 28 months in a young offenders institution. He will be a registered sex offender for the next 10 years and was made the subject of a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.

Description

A former prison officer has been placed on the sex offenders register after police discovered a huge stash of child abuse photos at his Dundee home.

Paul McDowell appeared at the city’s sheriff court to admit downloading the obscene material over a four year period.