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Description

A Heathfield man found with thousands of illicit pictures has become one of the first in the county to be sentenced for creating AI-generated child sexual abuse material.

James Castell, 40, of High Street in Heathfield, came to the attention of Sussex Police in October, 2024, when he was linked to the online distribution of an indecent image of a child. The image appeared to have been created using artificial intelligence (AI).

Shortly after, Castell was arrested by officers from the force’s Online Child Abuse Team (OCAT), who searched his home and seized a number of digital devices.

The devices were found to contain over 3,800 indecent images of children, including  640 of the most serious, Category A images. Indecent images in Category A depict penetrative sexual activity, bestiality and/or sadism.

The date range of the images stretched as far back as 2016.

AI software was also found that uses text to generate images, alongside evidence that Castell was responsible for distributing the initial AI indecent image and searches online that indicated a sexual interest in children.

Castell was subsequently charged with three counts of possession of an indecent/pseudo-photograph of a child, possession of a prohibited image of a child and distributing an indecent/pseudo-photograph of a child.

He appeared at Hastings Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 8 October, where he pleaded guilty to all charges.

At Lewes Crown Court on Friday (19 December), he was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years, and made subject to a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order significantly controlling his use of digital devices and access to children. He will also be a registered sex offender for ten years, and order to complete rehabilitation activity and 240 hours of community work.

Detective Chief Inspector Luke Kyriakides-Yeldham said:

“Every child sex abuse image created or shared fuels this despicable industry, and James Castell has shown absolutely no regard for children’s safety in pursuit of his own gratification.

“The scale of his offending, and wider online activity, shows an offender with a committed sexual interest in children as young as three years old.

“Artificial intelligence is a rapidly evolving technology, and cases such as this show criminals will use AI for their own ends.

“Make no mistake, the use of AI to create indecent images of children is an offence. We are working hard with our partners to identify those creating and distributing these images, and we will take robust action against perpetrators.”

Description

A controlling and abusive man has today been jailed for 10 years for the rape and assault of a former partner.

Levi Slack-Smith deliberately isolated the woman, who he was in a relationship with at the time, from her friends.

He would threaten to send intimate photos of her to people she knew, make derogatory and aggressive comments towards her, and when she tried to break up with him he assaulted her.

A court heard the 21-year-old would hit and kick the woman, and strangled her on multiple occasions - including one incident where he caused her to pass out.

It was also heard Slack-Smith had raped her on multiple occasions during their relationship.

At Portsmouth Crown Court, he was convicted, following a trial, of four counts of rape, and five of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Slack-Smith, of Thorndike Close, Southampton, had also previously pleaded guilty to malicious communications and making threats to disclose private sexual photographs.

As part of his controlling and obsessive behaviour, he disliked her going anywhere without him and would repeatedly blame her for his actions, including telling her "I don't know why you do this to me" after he had kicked her down the stairs.

In a statement read at court today, she said:

"There are so many things Levi has said and done to me which shows he has no respect for women, or any human being at all. He raped me, beat me, spat at me, degraded and abused me in every possible way he could. He tried to destroy me and my life.

"Since the trial, I have felt a huge sense of relief knowing that he was found guilty and remanded. I have been able to go out by myself and I have gone back to college to do what I always wanted to do and hopefully one day I will fulfil my dreams.

"I want to thank everyone who has helped me throughout, especially my ISVA (independent sexual violence advisor), who was there for me and helped me out so much. I can’t thank the police officers enough – it may have taken a while but we got there and got the best possible outcome – thank you."

He was also sentenced today for a dangerous driving offence, after officers pursued him in a car with cloned plates near his home - reaching speeds of up to 60mph - and arrested him on February 13, this year.

Judge Daniel Sawyer today jailed Slack-Smith for 10 years and five months, telling him:

"This ‘relationship’ had almost the entire range of abuse – sexual, violent and emotional abuse.

"Two of the ABHs involved strangulation. It is shockingly dangerous and can lead to sudden unpredictable death. It is a uniquely terrifying form of abuse and the biggest red flag there can be in terms of domestic violence.

"The court looks extremely seriously on this violence. In terms of harm there was undoubtedly severe psychological harm here."

Speaking after the sentencing, investigating officer PSI Rebecca Stevens said:

"Levi Slack-Smith is a vile and reprehensible man, who has no respect for women and refuses to take ownership of his own behaviour and actions.

"Thanks to the immense courage shown by the woman in this case, he now has plenty of time to contemplate those actions, and he is not able to pose a threat to any other women."

Description

A sex offender given a chance to stay out of jail this summer squandered the opportunity by "deliberately" breaching a court order less than two months after it was imposed.

David Draycott, 70, of London Road, Davenham, received a two-year suspended sentence in September for amassing an "abominable" 50,000-strong collection of child sex abuse images.

He was also subjected to a sexual harm prevention order banning him from any household with children under 16.

But on November 15, Draycott attended a birthday party for a terminally ill friend, staying at least an hour in the presence of two children.

The paedophile appeared at Chester Crown Court on December 17 for sentencing after pleading guilty to the breach before Chester magistrates.

Judge Simon Berkson rejected Draycott's basis of plea for a reduced sentence, stating it was not an emergency and "he could have left and come back at another time."

He added: "It was exceptional circumstances, not emergency."

The prosecution said Draycott visited a neighboring property without disclosing his sex offender status. He greeted the parent and two young children but was not left unsupervised with them.

Draycott later told his probation officer he was at the party and "they were teenagers," which the crown described as a "deliberate breach."

Defense counsel argued: "He said he hadn’t thought of the implications of staying. This was the last party of a friend who died a few days after."

Judge Berkson deemed it a deliberate breach but accepted it was a "crowded room without attempts to talk to the children."

Jailing Draycott for 12 months, the judge said: "You saw there were children there but instead of leaving, you stayed for at least an hour in the presence of those children.

"You know that was a serious breach and deliberate because you know that order is in place to keep you away from children.

"But I do accept that you posed a low risk."

Description

A man has been jailed for raping a child in Staffordshire.

On Friday (19 December), Thomas Green, 28, from Cross Heath, Newcastle-under-Lyme, was sentenced to 14 years in prison with an extended license period of three years after pleading guilty to two charges of rape of a child under 16, one count of sexual activity with a child under 16 and one count of breaching a restraining order.

The extended licence was applied after HHJ Smith determined that Green was ‘especially dangerous’ following an assessment.

Green has also been made the subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

In January this year, Green’s victim disclosed that she had been raped by him in summer 2024.

Green was already the subject of a restraining order. Whilst the investigation was carried out, he breached the order.

He was arrested in April, charged and remanded in custody until sentencing at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.

Detective Constable Katy Jones, who worked on the case, said:

“I am pleased that we’ve been able to secure this outcome against a sex offender who committed crimes against a child in our community.

“The victim has shown enormous strength in reporting what Green did.

“I would urge anyone who has been a victim of sexual offences to report it to us. You will be listened to and supported by specially trained officers, who will do everything in their power to see that justice is done.”

Description

Cameron McGregor, 34, has been jailed for eight years for a 14-year campaign of violence and rape against five women, spanning from 2008 (when he was 16) to 2022 in Dundee and Newport-on-Tay, Fife.

At the High Court in Edinburgh, the trial revealed he punched and struck three women, while subjecting two others to repeated rapes.

The former scaffolding firm owner denied the charges but was convicted.

Defence solicitor advocate Kris Gilmartin noted McGregor served in the Army before a medical discharge and ran a business: "Prior to his remand he had 10 employees all of whom have now been made redundant."

McGregor was placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely, and Judge Lord Ericht issued non-harassment orders barring contact with his victims.

Det Insp Gordon Patullo said:

"McGregor is an abusive individual who subjected his victims to years of horrific offending, and he will now face the consequences of his actions."

Description

A sexual predator who targeted more than 100 teenage boys online over several years has been jailed following a meticulous and detailed investigation by Essex Police detectives.

Lead investigator Detective Sergeant Nicola Hadfield said:

This was one of the most horrific and far-reaching cases I have worked on.

This offender tricked and manipulated his victims and then stored the videos and images he had captured. It is right that he is now serving a substantial prison term.

forensic analysis revealed scale of offending

The Police Online Investigation Team (POLIT) received information that an online account associated with Conor Brady had uploaded indecent videos of children to the internet.

The 32-year-old was arrested in November 2022 and answered no comment in interview. A warrant was executed at his Basildon address, where he lived in a self-contained unit at the bottom of the garden, and a number of digital devices were seized.

Forensic analysis of these devices revealed the level of Brady’s offending.

Using social media platforms, such as Instagram and Snapchat, he communicated with boys between the ages of 13 and 17 years.

Using fake personas, often pretending to be a teenage girl, he would encourage and incite them to expose themselves or commit sexual acts.

Then without their knowledge he would use screen recording software to capture his criminal activity.

He further distributed and purchased child sexual abuse material.

It was also clear from the investigation that Brady used a number of different user ids to lure and deceive his victims into thinking they were communicating with different people.

Following a three-year complex and painstaking investigation, which included identifying, speaking to and supporting a number of victims, Brady was charged.

Facing an overwhelming amount of evidence against him Brady pleaded guilty to 47 charges on Friday 24 October when he appeared a Basildon Crown Court.

He admitted:

• Two counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in penetrative sexual activity
• 14 counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
• 23 counts of causing or inciting sexual exploitation of a child
• Three counts of sexual communication with a child
• Making indecent photographs of a child (138 Cat A)
• Making indecent photographs of a child (473 Cat B)
• Making indecent photographs of a child (1272 Cat C)
• Distributing indecent photographs of children (8 Cat B)
• Distributing indecent photographs of children (4 Cat C)

"incalculable harm"

During the sentencing hearing at the same court, HHJ Samantha Cohen said that the offences were “carefully planned” and that Brady used “tried and tested methods to cause young boys to act in a way they would not have considered if they had known they were talking to a man in his 20s rather than a teenage girl".

She added:

Brady. of Long Riding, was jailed for 10 years with a further six years on extended licence. He was also placed on the sex offenders register for life and given a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Investigating officers Det Sgt Hadfield and Det Sgt Neale Parker were thanked by the Judge for their relentless commitment and professionalism throughout this investigation and were both awarded a commendation.

Det Sgt Hadfield added:

I want to acknowledge the impact this offending has had on the victims and survivors. Their resilience and fortitude throughout this investigation has been resolute.

I would say to anyone who has concerns they have been targeted in this way to come forward and tell us, we will listen and we will thoroughly investigate.

Description

A man has been jailed for sexually assaulting a woman whilst she was asleep.

Che Phillip, 44, previously from Bedford, took advantage of the victim whilst she was sleeping on a sofa following a party.

The victim woke up, realised what was happening, and pushed him away, before getting a taxi home and calling the police.

Phillip of Brunswick Place, Hove, was found guilty of sexual assault, and was today (Thursday) handed a sentence of five and a half years.

The judge noted that the forensic evidence in this case was extremely strong and that Phillip had targeted a particularly vulnerable victim and had shown no remorse for what he had done.

Detective Constable Amy Dewar from Bedfordshire Police said:

“This was a shocking and predatory act that violated the victim’s trust and safety leaving her with severe psychological harm including flashbacks of what happened.

“We commend her courage in coming forward and reporting what happened. Sexual assault is never acceptable, and we will continue to work tirelessly to bring offenders to justice and support victims.

"It is never too late to report a crime, and by doing so, you are helping us to bring these dangerous perpetrators to justice."

Description

A 23-year-old man from South Wales has been jailed for six-and-a-half years for offences of rape and false imprisonment.

Samuel Rust, previously of Boverton, Llantwit Major in the Vale of Glamorgan, was sentenced at Gloucester Crown Court on Wednesday (17 December). 

Last year (2024) he had been charged with several offences and went on trial at Gloucester Crown Court in December 2024. 

Rust was found guilty of one count of anal rape, one count of oral rape, one count of sexual assault and one count of false imprisonment. These offences related to one woman.

Immediately prior to his trial, he pleaded guilty to possessing extreme pornographic images.

He was acquitted of 25 other counts, and a jury failed to reach a verdict on seven others. These seven counts will lie on file.

The court was told that Rust was aged 16 when he raped a 16-year-old girl.

On a separate occasion he tied her up with her consent, but he then put her inside a cupboard naked for around 15 minutes without her consent.

This led to him being charged and convicted of false imprisonment. 

When Rust was arrested by Gloucestershire Police in April 2024, several of his electronic devices were seized.

The court was told that examinations revealed around 4,500 videos were on the devices between 2021 and 2024, a significant number of which depicted violence against, and the sexual abuse of, women.

Rust's defence barrister, Simon Warlock, said Rust had felt there were fewer videos and that Rust was a child at the time of the first rape.

His Honour Judge Ian Lawrie KC said:

"It was a litany of extreme pornography, brutality, humiliation, all manner of things. At a young age he had a fixation for appalling imagery, which echoes how he approaches women and certainly [the victim]."

The victim was in court and she read a statement detailing the impact Rust's offences had on her.

She said:

"The abuse I have suffered at the hands of you, Samuel Rust, is indescribable. And yet I am almost certain you cannot grasp how seriously your actions have affected anyone but yourself.

"For years I have felt the crushing, debilitating weight of fear and shame in my own body, because of you. No words can describe the horror you have subjected me to.

"No place is safe in the ghost of your presence. Flashes of the violent and humiliating acts you committed against me come to me with seemingly no rhyme or reason. And yet in those moments, I feel disgust in my own body.

"I wish to crawl out of the flesh you bruised, and yet neither is my mind safe. A part of you persists in there, and I am terrified of how long he will stay, how many years it will be until I truly find peace again.

"Many eyes see you for what you are today, Samuel Rust, and it is my sincere hope that you are one of them. Today, you will come away from your sentencing a rapist. A violent man. An abuser. I fear if you do not see yourself as those things now, that is all you will ever be.

"Although this trial has been deeply harrowing, I am grateful to those who made this outcome possible."

In mitigation, the court heard Rust was of previous good character, however Judge Lawrie said he showed "little remorse of substance" for his crimes after reading a letter Rust had written to the victim.

He said the letter was "the opposite of contrition" as Rust failed to recognise the harm caused by his actions and it was an exercise in “gaslighting". 

Before passing sentence, Judge Lawrie said Rust's fixation with extreme pornography was an aggravating factor and he expressed concern that "a spectator of such material can become an active participant".

He said:

"The extensive and disturbing imagery was hallmarked by sadomasochistic practices based on the brutal humiliation and domination of women and premised on violence and restraint.

"There were captions accompanying the images that tellingly show a clear interest in such sex and which was echoed in your behaviour towards the victim. Behaviour which reached beyond any consensual mutual interest. 

"The imagery showed a fascination and fixation for pushing the boundaries of such sex and to the humiliation [of women] - as happened with the victim."

As well as being jailed for six-and-a-half years, Rust was also handed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and given restraining orders against the victim and two other women.

Following sentencing, investigating officer Detective Constable Annabel Brittain said:

"The crimes in this case have had a devastating and prolonged effect, as the victim so clearly articulated in her moving personal statement.

"She and the other witnesses who provided harrowing evidence should be commended for their strength and bravery during the complex investigation and lengthy trial process which have led to this offender being imprisoned for a significant time.

"His Honour Judge Lawrie commented on Rust’s ‘extraordinary fixation’ with demeaning and brutal pornography and how his being a spectator for this seems to have led to him perceiving women as ‘objects of gratification’ and having a ‘fascination with pushing the boundaries of sex’ and therefore posing an enduring risk.

"He also noted the offender’s lack of remorse for his actions. For these reasons, I am glad His Honour took, in his words, the unusual step of imposing a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order to help ensure people’s safety for ever after Rust is released from behind bars."

Description

A man has been jailed today, Friday 19 December, for the rape of a woman in St Helens.

Greg Brookes, 37 years, of Farm Meadow Road in Wigan, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court and was jailed for four years four months and was issued with a five-year restraining order for victim.

He was found guilty of rape of a woman 16 years of age or over following a week-long trial earlier this month.

Detective Constable Lauren Baker, who led the investigation, said:

“Following a lengthy investigation and despite the evidence against him, Brookes put the victim through the trauma of a trial.

“I would like to praise the courage and dignity shown by the victim throughout the investigation and court proceedings. Today’s results shows that violence against women and girls will simply not be tolerated and we will work tirelessly to bring perpetrators to justice.

“We are committed to protecting victims of sexual offences, and anyone who reports an incident to us will be safeguarded and supported throughout the investigation by Specially Trained Officers and Sexual Violence Advocates who will provide all the relevant support.

“Anyone that has been a victim of a sexual offence, is concerned for the safety of someone they know or suspects someone to be engaging in this criminal activity, should come forward and speak to us.

“We have a team of dedicated staff who will expertly and compassionately deal with your reports and we will do everything we can to bring offenders to justice.

“We take all such reports extremely seriously, and work with partner organisations such as Victim care Support Service and RASA who are there to support victims if this crime.”

Description

A man who committed a string of sexual offences has been jailed following a South Wales Police investigation.

Nicholas O’Connor, aged 35, of Cwmrhydyceirw, has been sentenced for two years after he was found guilty of several sexual offences.

O’Connor appeared at Swansea Crown Court today (December 19), to be sentenced for the following convictions:

Seven counts of Exposure
One count of Attempt sexual assault
Four counts of Sexual assault

During a trial at Swansea Crown Court, it was heard that, between September 21 2024, and October 23 2024, O’Connor exposed himself to nine different women in the Swansea and Merthyr Tydfil areas. Of these women, he also sexually assaulted two, with a further attempt sexual assault of one of those women.

While O’Connor pleaded not guilty at court, he was found guilty of twelve sexual offences.

Detective Constable Rebecca Brain said:

“I would like to say thank you to all of the victims who came forward and reported O’Connor’s actions to us. Each report has helped to demonstrate a serious pattern of offending, which has resulted in today’s sentence.

“O’Connor tried to blame his actions on a medical condition and refused to take accountability for his predatory actions. I hope his sentencing today helps the victims to move forward.”

Description

A former University of Sussex student who raped or sexually assaulted five women, including four fellow students, has been jailed.

Alex Patel-Wills, 26, of Grove Road in Barnet, was sentenced to 25 years at Lewes Crown Court on Friday (19 December).

Sussex Police launched an investigation after a woman reported being raped by Patel-Wills at a property in Brighton on 31 October, 2021.

The victim was supported by specialist officers while Patel-Wills was arrested on suspicion of rape shortly after.

Over the following weeks, further enquiries identified four more victims spanning several years from 2018 to 2021.

A woman in her then-late teens, who was known to Patel-Wills, reported being raped and sexually abused by him on multiple occasions in Brighton between 2018 and 2019.

At around the same time, a woman also in her late teens was raped by Patel-Wills at a property in London while in a vulnerable state.

Two more women reported being raped in 2020 - in May, 2020, Patel-Wills sexually assaulted a woman at a property on campus in and, four months later, raped another woman at his home in Brighton.

He was subsequently charged with five counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault and two counts of assault by penetration, and remanded in custody.

At Lewes Crown Court on Thursday, 16 October, the jury found Patel-Wills guilty of offences relating to every victim, namely four counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault and one count of sexual assault by penetration.

He was found not guilty of one count of rape and one count of assault by penetration.

Patel-Wills’ sentence will be served as 19 years in custody, with a further six on extended licence.

Detective Constable Vicki Blythe said:

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to these brave women for reporting Alex Patel-Wills’ crimes to the police and helping us put him behind bars.

“Every perpetrator brought to justice makes Sussex a safer place for women and girls, and we will continue to work hard to prevent offending, hold offenders to account and support victims.”

Description

Two children have been praised for their courage after a man was sentenced for three counts of sexual assault.

Kevin Dell, 61, of Hawthorn Grove, Trowbridge, pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual assault on a child under 13.

He was jailed for 12 months, suspended for two years, in a hearing at Swindon Crown Court on December 10.

He must also sign on to the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years, and is subject to a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a five-year restraining order.

In December 2023, Dell sexually assaulted a victim – who was known to him due to his former job as a postman – by repeatedly trying to kiss her. This was reported to police and Dell was subsequently arrested.

During this investigation, following a Sarah’s Law application into Dell, further sexual assaults against a second child from 2019 to 2021 were disclosed.

He was subsequently charged with three counts of sexual assault, to which he pleaded guilty.

Local Crime Investigator Tamara Barnett, based in our Volume Crime Team, said:

“Firstly, I’d like to pay tribute to the victims for coming forward and the strength they have shown.

“They have shown immense courage and bravery, especially for young people.

“I’d also like to acknowledge the support the victims and their families have shown during what has been a lengthy process.

“Dell has shown absolutely no remorse for his actions and has even been bragging he hadn’t done anything wrong, despite pleading guilty.  

“I’m pleased he has now been sentenced and is the subject of lengthy sexual harm prevention and restraining orders.”

Description

Four men have been convicted of exploiting, sexually assaulting, and raping a vulnerable 16-year-old runaway girl after picking her up in Birmingham in July 2019.

The victim entered Arqash Zaffar's BMW on Alum Rock Road. She alleged Zaffar raped her multiple times over the following days, including in a Walsall hotel room where men took turns abusing her.

Mohammed Nadim, also in the car, groped her in the back. Shahban Arif arranged her hotel stay in Walsall. Shiraz Nassar raped her in his Manchester flat after Zaffar drove her there overnight.

After a five-week trial at Birmingham Crown Court, the jury found:

• Zaffar, 41, of Persehouse Street, Walsall: guilty of five counts of rape, four of causing penetrative sexual activity without consent, and one of arranging travel for exploitation.
• Nadim, 45, of Wednesbury Road, Walsall: guilty of one sexual assault.
• Arif, 42, of Holden Crescent, Walsall: guilty of one exploitation offense.
• Nassar, 40, of Fir Road, Denton, Manchester: guilty of one rape.

Sentencing is adjourned to March 19, 2026.

Prosecutor Tim Clark KC opened: "She was a vulnerable teenager - she was known to social services. She had been reported missing from her home on a number of occasions. One of those occasions when she had gone missing was between July 11 and August 12, 2019. The Crown's case is she spent some of that time in the company of these four men. It's the Crown's case three of these defendants, Zaffar, Nadim and Nassar, either sexually exploited her themselves or were present when she was sexually assaulted. Zaffar and Arif were involved in her exploitation sexually by others."

The girl, described as "extremely upset," disclosed the abuse to her social worker after returning home on August 12, 2019. She identified Zaffar as "Mikey," Nadim as "Dimma," Nassar as "Soldier," and Arif by his "rat-like face" (nicknamed "rat" at trial). She admitted claiming to be 19.

On July 20, she was driven to a dead end, asked to kiss both men (who exposed themselves), then to a car park where Nadim assaulted her and Zaffar forced oral sex. Later, with Arif ("small, proper skinny guy") in the car, she was taken to Manchester and raped by Zaffar and Nassar.

She claimed Zaffar raped her in a Walsall hotel before a "baby-faced" man called "Young Boy," and in another room boasted she was "sexually available," raping her before others took turns.

Her ordeal ended when dropped off near Selfridges in Birmingham. All defendants admitted being with her but denied the offenses.

Description

“It was like a living nightmare. The only thing that really kept me going through all this was my children…

“The only reason I leave the house is to do the food shop and take the children to school. My confidence is completely gone…

“I have since been diagnosed with complex post-traumatic stress disorder. The doctors said it’s because of dealing with trauma repeatedly of what he did to me – it’s so loud. I sometimes hear the children screaming when they’re not. I can’t even do the things I used to do, like watching TV or listening to music, because they trigger it all.”

These are the words of the victim of Christopher Beasley.

Beasley, 33, of Cottingley Drive in Beeston, was jailed at Leeds Crown Court yesterday (Thursday) after he was found guilty of six counts of rape, three counts of child cruelty and one count of controlling and coercive behaviour.    

He was sentenced to 24 years with an extended licence period of five years.  

His victim reported him to police in 2022 and an investigation by the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team uncovered a catalogue of offending dating back to 2011.

The presiding Judge described the offending as ‘a campaign of rape’.  

Speaking after the sentencing, investigating officer Detective Constable Josh Holroyd, said:

“I would like to praise the bravery and resilience of all the victims in this case and thank them for their patience and trust.

“The significant sentence imposed on Beasley shows the seriousness of his offending and I hope will give some closure to those involved.

“I also hope it will give others the confidence to come forward and report crimes of this nature to us. We have a team of specially trained officers who work closely with partners to provide support to victims throughout the investigation and are committed to seeing perpetrators brought to justice.”

Description

A "monster" rapist who bribed a young girl with video games has been jailed for historic sex offences committed as a teenager.

Lewis Nugent, now 27, was convicted of all nine charges—three counts of rape, three of sexual assault, and three of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity—following a trial at Durham Crown Court in early November.

At his sentencing on Thursday, December 18, the court heard he remains in denial, leading Judge Nathan Adams to deem him a potential danger to young girls.

Prosecutor Sam Ponniah described grooming elements, including Nugent calling the girl "special" and his "favourite," and incentivizing sexual acts by allowing her to play video games. He warned her to stay silent, covered her mouth during one rape, and she vomited after another, for which she was punished.

In her impact statement, read in court, the victim said she has been "tortured by the memories," with Nugent's name making her feel sick. She relives the events daily, which disrupted her education, desensitized her, and left her unable to trust males, even medical professionals. She called him a "monster" and is relieved he can no longer harm her.

Defence barrister Victoria Lamballe presented character testimonials from friends and family, plus a psychologist's report. Noting his pre-sentence report and continued denials, she said: "Unsurprisingly, he continues to protest his innocence and, therefore, there’s relatively little I can say on his behalf. Anything I do say is not intended to minimise what he inflicted upon her." She added this is his first criminal conviction and experience of custody.

Judge Adams described Nugent's actions as "pervasive and persistent" and sentenced him as a youth offender, imposing a six-year custodial term plus four years' extended licence. He must serve at least two-thirds (four years) before parole eligibility, potentially the full six. As an adult offender, it would have been 12 years.

Nugent, of Saturn Close, Easington Colliery, must register as a sex offender for life, faces a 15-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and a 15-year restraining order barring contact with the victim.