Locations
Milton Square, Gateshead, Tyne And Wear, NE8
Description
Adam Ward, of Gateshead, admitted a series of offences including sexual assault, voyeurism and making and taking indecent images.
A pervert who sexually assaulted a young girl and secretly recorded children and adults in a toilet and changing room has been branded a dangerous 'monster' and jailed.
Adam Ward's vile activities were revealed when police seized his computer equipment. They found thousands of indecent images of children, including some he had taken himself and some showing he had sexually assaulted a very young girl.
Another series of images showed a different young girl using a toilet. He had also recorded a woman at the Sage music centre, where he worked, by hiding a camera in the ceiling in the toilet and filmed another woman from under a cubicle in a changing room. Recordings were also found of children in a changing room.
A pervert who sexually assaulted a young girl and secretly recorded children and adults in a toilet and changing room has been branded a dangerous 'monster' and jailed.
Adam Ward's vile activities were revealed when police seized his computer equipment. They found thousands of indecent images of children, including some he had taken himself and some showing he had sexually assaulted a very young girl.
Another series of images showed a different young girl using a toilet. He had also recorded a woman at the Sage music centre, where he worked, by hiding a camera in the ceiling in the toilet and filmed another woman from under a cubicle in a changing room. Recordings were also found of children in a changing room.
Now Ward has been branded as a high risk sex offender by a judge at Newcastle Crown Court as he was jailed for a series of offences.
The parents of the young girl he sexually assaulted and took indecent images of provided victim impact statements about the horrific discovery of what had happened. Her mum said: "I can't begin to explain the devastation and damage he has brought to our family.
"The emotions we go through include anger, sadness, guilt and heartbreak. I've not stopped crying since I found out about this.
"I feel physically sick wondering how he was able to do this and did he hurt her and scare her. I was unable to protect her, not knowing she was at risk of harm. He has shattered our lives."
The girl's dad added said he would have to live with the guilt of what happened to his "beautiful little girl" and recalled the "devastating news of what that monster had been up to".
Ward had also downloaded more than 22,000 indecent images of children from the internet, aged between six months and 15 years. There were also 33 search terms associated with people looking for such illegal material.
Ward, 28, of Milton Square, Gateshead, pleaded guilty to sexual assault, six counts of making indecent images of children, two of taking indecent images of a child, possessing extreme pornography and three counts of voyeurism. He was jailed for four years and four months with an extended licence of a further five years and eight months, by Judge Julie Clemitson. He must also sign the sex offenders register and be subject to a sexual harm prevention order for life.
Jane Foley, defending, said: "He has expressed remorse, albeit there's evidence of a lack of victim empathy. He is intelligent and had a good job working in finance."
Miss Foley added that Ward has autism and other mental disorders, including personality difficulties, anxiety and depression.
Detective Constable Elizabeth Biggins, one of the officers leading the investigation, said: “Ward’s actions are despicable, but we have been able to strike and secure the evidence needed to secure a conviction. I would like to thank the families involved for their assistance, resilience and patience throughout the investigation.
“I hope this sends a firm message to other potential offenders that our robust stance on this deplorable type of crime remains strong, and that the next person at your door could very well be us.
“I would always encourage anyone with information about this type of offending, or anyone who thinks they have been a victim, to come forward and talk to us. “You will be heard and supported, and we will work hard to ensure any offenders have their day in court.”