Raymond Tointon 58

Description

A man from Hemel Hempstead has been jailed for seven years in connection with child sexual offences.

Raymond Tointon, aged 58 of Long Chaulden, denied sexually assaulting a girl over 13 in 2013. He was convicted by a jury following a trial in March at St Albans Crown Court.

Tointon, a former school bus driver, pleaded guilty to three counts of making an indecent photograph or pseudo photograph of a child, three counts of distributing such photographs, and one count of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child. The offences date between April 2024 and May 2025 and did not relate to his employment.

When detectives analysed Tointon’s devices, they found 194 Category A images, depicting the most serious abuse that can be committed by adults against children. He also had 99 Category B images and 97 Category C images.

The court heard how he sexually communicated with what he thought was a 13-year-old child, but was a decoy account from an online activist group. Tointon sent images of himself to the account and messages of a sexually explicit nature.

He also used Snapchat, Facebook Messenger and Telegram to interact with numerous other accounts.

At St Albans Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday 20 May), Tointon was sentenced to a total of seven years in prison with a further two years on extended licence, given his dangerous offending.

He was also made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order which will tightly restrict his online activities and access to children when he is eventually released.

Detective Constable Rowan Montgomery, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Child Online Safeguarding Team, said:

“Firstly, I would like to praise the victim for her bravery in coming forward. This case shows how it doesn’t matter when an offence was committed, we will investigate and get justice.

“Tointon took no accountability for this particular offence, putting the victim, who is now an adult, through the ordeal of a trial. He will now spend a considerable amount of time behind bars.

“I would also like to issue a reminder that the victim is entitled to lifelong anonymity by law, and nothing should be shared that may identify her.

“The possession of indecent images of children is also not a victimless crime - each image represents the abuse of a child and has a real-world impact.

“Anyone wishing to report a sexual offence will always be treated sensitively and with respect by us. We recognise how difficult it must be but please be assured we have specially trained officers who can help you every step of the way.”