Latest Offenders

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Alan Barry, 44, of Leamore in Walsall, has been jailed for three years and four months after being found to have breached his sexual harm prevention order.

Barry, of Providence Close, who had previously appeared at Northampton Crown Court in 2017 for making, possessing and distributing indecent images of children, as well as arranging and intended child sex offence, was sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court last Friday.

At the time of his original conviction in 2017, Barry was placed on the sex offender register for life and given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order(SHPO).

The sentence last Friday comes after officers visited Barry's Walsall home in January this year under the terms of his prevention order, where they found thumbnails of what appeared to be illegal sexual images on his mobile phone.

The device was seized for analysis by police, which revealed hundreds of still and moving images of children and extreme pornographic images as well as correspondence indicating that Barry was involved with receiving and sending these images.

In total, officers found 45 Category A images (deemed the most serious images), 13 Category B images, and 251 extreme pornographic images.

Detective Constable Claire Walker, from the public protection unit at West Midlands Police said: "Despite the horrendous nature of the material that Alan Barry possessed, he appeared to be quite ambivalent about the seriousness of his offences, denying when questioned that he had a sexual interest in children and instead attributing his behaviour to drug abuse and mental health issues.

"It is only right that he has received a custodial sentence and we welcome his conviction."

Barry was arrested in June this year and was convicted last week of possessing and distributing images of children, possession of extreme pornography and breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

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A Derbyshire man who drove to Suffolk to sexually assault an 11-year-old boy he met online has been sentenced to more than 12 years in prison.

The National Crime Agency obtained intelligence leading to an investigation into David Alexander Murphy, 40, from Derby, which showed he sent money to his victim after meeting him in person.

He was found to have used an Irish passport in the name of ‘Alex McClean’ to open a PayPal account, and further enquiries showed he topped this up from another account.

NCA officers spoke to the boy who confirmed he had met a man called ‘Alex’ from Derby online in the spring of 2021. The conversations soon moved to WhatsApp, and Murphy sent intimate photos of himself and asked the boy to do the same.

On 1 June of that year, Murphy drove to Suffolk and met the boy in a village. He took him to a wooded area where he sexually assaulted him.

The boy gave a description of Murphy and recalled that he had driven in a car with a logo on the side. Officers were able to evidence this had been hired from a car club that Murphy belonged to in Derby.

NCA investigators arrested Murphy in March this year.

A specialist team searched his house and found two Irish passports behind a hanging picture, one in the name of Murphy and another in the name of McClean.

They also found a bank card in name of McClean, two sim cards hidden in an Oxo cube box, and an Amazon Fire Stick.

Possessing the passport and the bank card in a different name were breaches of his sex offenders register notification requirements.

Having unsupervised contact with the boy, and his failure to notify the police of the devices capable of storing data, also breached the sexual harm prevention orders he received for offences committed in 2012 and 2017.

Murphy appeared at Derby Crown Court today (6 October) where he was sentenced to six years and eight months imprisonment, extended by six years for dangerousness. He was placed on the Sex Offender Register for life and given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

He pleaded guilty during a hearing at the same court on 16 June to inciting a boy under 13 to engage in sexual activity, meeting a boy under 16 following sexual grooming, four counts of breaching a sexual harm prevention order and three counts of failing to comply with sex offenders register notification requirements.

NCA Operations Manager Danielle Pownall said: “David Murphy took his time to groom a vulnerable child online and even offered money to meet him in person.

“The actions of Murphy, an unrepentant child sex offender, were premeditated and devious.

“I would like to thank the young boy abused by Murphy for his bravery in speaking to us and helping to put a dangerous criminal behind bars.

“The NCA will continue to protect the public, particularly children, from the harm caused by online child sexual abuse.”

In 2012 Murphy sexually assaulted a boy and given a 12-month suspended prison sentence. In 2017 he was jailed for two years after admitting distributing indecent photographs of children.

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Jade Berry, 27, was staggering through Rivacre Valley Country Park in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, at 9pm when she accosted the child as he sat on a woodland bench talking with a friend about his forthcoming 14th birthday.

Berry sat between the two boys and began stroking the 13-year-old's genitals over his clothing before offering him sex and saying she would 'ride you till morning'

As the shocked youngster and his friend got up to leave, she pulled down her trousers and exposed herself before passing out in a drunken stupor.

The two boys took videos of Berry before getting up to leave. She was identified after leaving her bank card and phone on the bench.

When interviewed by police, Berry exclaimed: 'Oh My God, I do not recall anything' - but was later picked out by the boy at an identity parade.

The 13-year-old, who has ADHD, said he was so traumatised by the encounter that he tried to take his own life.

At Chester Crown Court, Berry - who lives in the village of Little Sutton near Ellesmere Port - pleaded guilty to sexual assault and was sentenced to 12 months in jail suspended for 18 months. 

Berry was also ordered to wear an electronic 'sobriety' tag for 120 days as part of an alcohol abstinence monitoring programme and will have to complete 35 rehabilitation activity days. 

She was told to sign on the Sex Offenders' Register for ten years.

Berry had told the court she had mental health issues. 

The incident occurred on October 3 last year after Berry was making her way through the 300-acre nature reserve after a drinking session with friends. 

James Coutts, prosecuting, said: 'The victim was seated on a bench in woodland when the defendant approached him. 

'She was unknown to him and was clearly intoxicated. She sat between the two boys and began to touch and rub his genitals and the upper area of his thigh over his clothing whilst making highly inappropriate and sexualised comments. 

'She said she was going to "ride him till morning".

'They had in fact been talking previously about his upcoming 14th birthday - and it was quite clear to them she knew how old he was.

'The boys almost immediately left, leaving her on the bench. She removed her clothing and exposed her genitals and buttocks before passing out. They did take a video of the scene.

'The victim went home and told his mother who contacted the police. The officers attended the scene and found her bank card and her phone.

'By the time the officers arrived she had left the area. But she was arrested on October 5. Her response to being arrested was, "Oh My God, I do not recall anything".

'She was asked questions in an interview. She answered "No comment" to all questions. An identity parade was arranged in which the victim was involved. He successfully identified the defendant as the one involved in the incident.'

Mr Coutts described the impact of the incident on the teenage victim.  

'The victim described feeling low after the assault and described an occasion where he tried to take his own life. He had night terrors about the incident afterwards and nightmares. 

'He described taking medication and does not feel able to return to the park. He does not leave the house much. He is feeling scared, anxious, and generally feeling unsafe.

'He has received counselling from two separate sources to aid his recovery but he has lost the confidence that he had. Clearly there are aggravating factors to this offence. 

'There was the presence of alcohol and the inebriation of the defendant and the victim was particularly vulnerable due to his age and difficulties.'

Berry had one previous conviction for drink driving from 2021.

Her counsel John Wyn Williams said: 'She has sadly suffered from mental health problems since the age of 15 or 16 and Covid was a particularly difficult time for her. 

'She has a self-destructive nature and because of this nature she has turned to alcohol to deal with his issues but she now realises that is not the answer to her problems.

'The separation of her parents is another factor that has caused her mental anguish. Her memory of this unfortunate incident is fairly scant but she did not want that young boy to have to give evidence in a trial. 

'Her psychiatrist identifies anxiety disorder, panic attacks [and] borderline personality disorder, as mental health issues - and because of those problems she has been drinking too much.

'It seems that her alcohol intoxication may have led her into doing and committing this offence. There is genuine heartfelt remorse and she shows the victim empathy.

Sentencing, judge Eric Lamb said: 'As it was a chance meeting, you were not aware of the vulnerability of your victim but the consequence of what you did have been awful for the complainant and his family. 

'He has tried to take his own life, suffered night terrors, and required counselling in an effort to overcome the impact of that which you have done.

'You have no recollection of what you did as a result of the amount of alcohol that you had taken but the commission of an offence, when drinking, is an aggravating feature.

'The reasons for your taking alcohol are many and complex and although I must have regard to whether or not you present a risk of serious harm to members of the public by the commission of further specific offences, in your case the conclusion is that such a risk is low. I accept that there is genuine and heartfelt remorse.

'On the one hand, this is a sexual assault on a young person by someone who is 27 years of age and it is plainly a serious matter. 

'But on the other side there is strong personal mitigation as a result of genuine remorse, and the series of events that have led you to your mental health difficulties. You now realise that you must alter your ways.'

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A 'predatory' police officer was jailed for over 16 years today for violently raping a friend and sexually assaulting a second woman.

PC Ravi Canhye, who served with Dorset Police, was convicted on two charges of rape, one count of attempted rate, and three charges of assault by penetration. He was also charged with sexual assault against a second woman.

Wincheser Crown Court heard that the 47-year-old, who is originally from Mauritius, slapped and mauled the first victim before pinning her down and raping her.

He verbally abused her and he did so and at one point forced a fist into her mouth to stop her pleas for him to stop. It was heard in court that Canyhe felt 'power and gratification' and 'revelled in seeing her disgust, discomfort and disappointment.'

The violent attack took place as the victim visited his home in Poole, Dorset, while he was off duty on the weekend between April 8 and 11, 2022.

Canyhe had met the victim in October 2021. He told her that they had feelings for each other on the first night and they had consensual sex.

Prosecutor Sarah Jones KC said that his behaviour changed the following morning and Canhye assaulted his victim in the kitchen before raping her. 

She said that he spun 'out of control' after drinking heavily which 'changed or disinhibited him'. He behaved like an 'animal', the court heard.

Canhye threatened to abuse his victim with his truncheon and a vodka bottle, the court heard. Canyhe, who denied the offences, claimed that the sex was consensual.

Prosecutor Jones said: 'He just did what he wanted. He was so wrapped up in his own needs and desires he saw both her and her friend as objects ready to use and abuse.

'It came to a point where, she says, every time he was being too rough, when he was hurting her, that was exciting him and that made him worse at what he did.'

She added: 'She considered he was behaving like an animal and that she considered him to be behaving like an animal seemed to drive him on more.'

The victim, who fought to control her emotions as she gave evidence, said she 'trusted him as he was a police officer'.

She said that she 'was scared and really frightened' and that he was 'aggressive and forceful.'

In a victim impact statement that was read out in court on her behalf, she said that she suffered from anxiety, nightmares, and flashbacks. 

She said she was 'battered and bruised' after the attack and said: 'The indignity of it was almost unbearable.'

She suffered such bad bruising as a result of his 'manhandling' that intimate parts of her body turned black.

The victim added that she isolated from friends following the attack and had felt suicidal.

Judge Jane Miller said that she had suffered 'a persistent, degrading and truly overwhelming episode of sexual and physical humiliation.'

She told Canhye: 'Your being a serving police officer is an aggravating feature, your status means your victims placed a level of trust in you.'

'The public should be able to expect higher standards from a police officer.'

Canhye has been placed on the sex offenders register and been made subject to a sexual harm prevention order requiring him to notify police of any future sexual relationships.

He has also had a restraining order issued against him.

The sexual assault against the second victim happened on the following day when the pair returned to the defendant's home out of concern for his wellbeing because of his heavy drinking.

He assaulted her as she sat on his sofa.

The second victim said she had been shocked that Canhye was a police officer.

'I couldn't believe someone who behaved like that could be one, he has abused his position of trust,' she said, adding that she felt 'frightened to leave her home.'

Dorset Police has confirmed that Canhye, who had been in public service for more than 20 years, was suspended after the allegations were made and faces misconduct proceedings.

Canhye moved from Mauritius to work in psychiatric health before he became a special police officer and then joined the Metropolitan Police in 2009. He later moved to Dorset Police.

He won a National Policing Award in 2009 as a special Constable in Ealing, West London, for his work identifying people with mental health issues.

James Newton-Price, defending, said that Canhye had resigned from the force and added: 'The outcome is devastating for Mr Canhye, not only in relation to his good name but his career.'

He added: 'He would not have behaved as he did other than for his heavy alcohol consumption.'

Dorset Police Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Farrell said: 'I would like to thank the victims for their courage to come forward to report these abhorrent crimes to us and supporting our investigation as well as the strength they have shown throughout the court process.

'I hope this sends a message to all victims of sexual abuse that we will do all we can to investigate offences and ensure offenders are brought to justice, while we will also make sure victims are supported.

'We have been able to bring this case before the court due to the thorough investigation conducted by our highly-trained detectives and I would like to recognise their work as well as the support our specialist officers provided to the victims.

'PC Canhye has behaved in a way that is clearly criminal and utterly unacceptable, especially when bearing in mind the trust the public should be able to have in him as a member of the police service.

'There is no place in Dorset Police for those who commit sexual offences.

'I understand that these crimes will cause concern for our community and the fact that they were committed by a police officer is even more abhorrent.

'We are determined to root out officers who commit such offences as well as domestic abuse or show discriminatory, abusive or misogynistic behaviours.

'I hope that responding robustly to allegations of any violence against women by police officers or staff sends a strong message to the public about our standards and values and builds confidence in how we respond to all allegations.

'Our unique powers and responsibilities mean we must hold ourselves to the highest standards.'

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A dangerous sex offender from Wolverhampton has been jailed for 19 and a half years for the rape and assault of a woman.

Over a period of several years, Lamont Geddes, aged 24, controlled the life of a woman mentally and physically, sexually abusing her as well as coercively controlling her.

He made threats to kill the woman and threatened to put petrol through her letterbox.

On 11 August last year, the woman flagged down a passing police car after an episode of abuse and bravely told our officers of the horrific ordeals she had been subjected to over the years.

She said that Geddes took her life away. 

He was then charged with 11 offences and was found guilty by a jury at Wolverhampton Crown Court of all offences - six counts of rape, two counts of assault, controlling and coercive behaviour, grievous bodily harm and attempted wounding.  

Geddes, of Douglas Place, was sentenced on 27 September to 19 and a half years in prison. 

Detective Constable Beth Felton from our Adult Complex Investigation Team, said: "This case spanned over several years and the level of abuse escalated with Geddes making the woman’s life a living nightmare. 

“After one violent assault the woman managed to flag down a passing police vehicle and the true horror of the abuse came to light.

"She has shown incredible courage throughout this investigation which proved pivotal in securing a conviction.

“Geddes denied the charges in their entirety, forcing the woman to have the traumatic experience of giving evidence in court.

"The sentence is a clear recognition of the risk and seriousness of Geddes horrific offences.

“We hope the woman’s bravery encourages others subjected to abuse and sexual assault to come forward we are here to help and listen.”

West Midlands Police’s Public Protection officers are specially trained to deal sensitively with sexual abuse survivors, offer them support and guide them through the court process.

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David Dunn, 39, who is originally from Pontefract, was jailed at Leeds Crown Court today for non-recent sexual offences, including rape.

Dunn was found guilty of offences of rape of a child and causing a child to engage in sexual activity in relation to one young male victim and attempt rape of a child and indecency with a child against another young male.

The offences were committed in the Wakefield District area between the years 2002 and 2009.

The offending came to police attention after both of the victims came forward separately to police in 2019 and reported what had taken place.

An investigation was launched by specialist child protection officers at Wakefield District.

Detective Constable Sophie Green, who investigated the case, said: “We are pleased to see Dunn sentenced today for what were some awful sexual offences committed against two young and vulnerable children.

“Their courage in reporting these dreadful offences and in supporting the prosecution against Dunn has meant that a dangerous sexual offender had been forced to answer for his crimes and been punished for them.”

She added: “This case is another reminder to victims that it is never too late to tell us if you have been the victim of offending such as this.

“We really do not underestimate how hard it is to come forward, but I want to make clear that we will do all we can to help you very rightly seek justice and access any support you may need.”

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A REGISTERED sex offender is back behind bars for sending text messages to a 15-year-old girl and unlawful possession of an iPad Mini.

Darrel Stephen Carter, 31, was issued with a sexual risk order (SRO) in 2020 at the request of police seeking to curb potential offending against young females.

The indefinite SRO bans Carter from contacting any girls aged under 18; and places tough restrictions on his access to electronic devices.

Carter had been identified by police as posing a potential risk to vulnerable females.

But being subject to the order has not kept him out of trouble.

For previous breaches he has been made subject to a suspended prison sentence and he was later jailed for again failing to stick by the SRO terms.

It was following his release from custody on licence, halfway through a 23-month sentence, that he broke the law once more during the course of several weeks, Carlisle Crown Court heard, by contacting the teen.

“He was in contact with her on a number of occasions using different social network applications and online platforms, such as Facebook and Facebook Messenger,” said Gerard Rogerson, prosecuting.

“Mr Carter, it is suggested, was fully aware of her age, being 15, and also that she was unaware of his past, namely as a registered sex offender and being subject to the order.”

One message sent by Carter — who befriended the girl after sending a Facebook friend request and instigated contact with her — read: “Come on, you are 15.

“There is nothing inappropriate or sexually suggestive within the messages,” Mr Rogerson told the court.

It was when Carter was recalled to prison that a phone was seized and the messages came to light.

Carter also committed a second breach through his possession of an iPad Mini device — capable of accessing the internet — which was not declared to police as it should have been. This had been used to access Facebook, Snapchat and TikTok.

“He admitted keeping the device hidden and using it,” said the prosecutor. “He commented ‘I don’t know why I’ve done it’.”

Carter, of Oakleigh Way, Carlisle, pleaded guilty to two breaches.

Defence lawyer Andrew Evans highlighted the fact that Carter had made full admissions when quizzed by police.

Mr Evans said in an address to Judge Nicholas Barker: “In a letter to Your Honour he has stated he is motivated to seek change.”

The judge noted that only an immediate prison sentence should be imposed in the case. Mr Evans asked that detailed background reports prepared by a probation officer and psychiatrist should accompany Carter to prison in the hope that professional help could be offered.

“That is the only route to breaking the cycle,” said Mr Evans. “What he needs is assistance, wherever he is.”

Judge Barker jailed Carter for 20 months. “You would have known, particularly having been released from a 23-month sentence that those who supervised you would have been concerned by your contact with such a young female,” said the judge, “that it was in breach of your order and that it would — had it been discovered — led to your arrest and potential imprisonment.

“Therefore there is, in my judgement, by you, an interest in taking what can be described as deliberate risk taking behaviour.”

Judge Barker accepted struggles in Carter’s early life and a comment by him in relation to SRO compliance that “I don’t think it is clicking in my head”.

But he told the defendant: “If you are intent, as you suggest, on addressing your offending behaviour you will need to expand on the reasons why you commit these offences. Without that you will carry on doing them.

“If that is the case you will spend longer and longer in prison.”

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A former Lib Dem politician has been jailed after having sex with an underage boy and making indecent images of children.

Ryan Langley, 34, of Hessle Road, Hull, admitted causing or inciting the sexual exploitation of a teenage boy between January 2019 and April 2021.

He also admitted distributing indecent images of children and three offences of making indecent images of children.

Hull Crown Court heard Langley appeared to "rejoice" when he found out the boy's real age and instead of being "shocked and appalled" carried on with his crime.

It was "very much a fall from grace" for the former councillor who aspired to win a "frontline" role at Westminster, the court heard.

Dale Brook, prosecuting, said the parents of the teenage boy found sexual messages on his mobile phone and he admitted that he had met some adult men for sex, one of whom was Langley.

They met on a website with the boy telling him he was 16. Langley told the court he thought the lad was 18, but it turned out he was actually 14.

When the boy admitted his real age, Langley told him he was "the youngest" he ever "had" and continued to send messages.

The pair carried on swapping photos and videos with Langley talking about having more sexual contact with the boy. Langley was arrested with his phone and laptops seized by police.

WhatsApp messages revealed highly sexualised messages with males aged over 18, during which Langley acknowledged having had sex with the boy, who he had thought was 16.

Images of the youngster were shared and he boasted of wanting more sexual contact with him before he turned 16.

Langley distributed several photographs and videos of his sexual contact with other boys under the age of 16, including with one aged 15, Hull Live reports.

Detectives found other indecent images of children, including 62 Category A, 44 Category B and 75 Category C.

Ayman Khokhar, mitigating, said Langley had no previous convictions but the offences showed he had betrayed others' trust.

Mr Khokhar, describing his client as a talented local councillor, said: "He will be living with the consequences of his actions for the rest of his life.

"He does not seek anything other than an immediate custodial sentence. He wishes to reflect on what he has done."

Mr Khokhar added Langley had been paid "very little" as a councillor but did the job because he wanted to help others.

He said: "He has lost what looked like a promising career. He has served his local community for a number of years. Despite mental health difficulties, he threw himself into local politics and had aspirations eventually to go to Westminster.

"He knows that, now, is an impossibility and that he has no future in frontline politics."

Mr Khokhar continued: "His career is over. He has let himself down and he feels that he has let down those close to him."

Judge John Thackray KC said Langley initially thought he was having sexual activity with a boy above the legal age of 16 but he found out he was really only 14.

The judge added: "Against that background, rather than being shocked and appalled, you seemed to rejoice in the activity that had taken place and you demonstrated corrupt behaviour and a level of depravity by exchanging sexual images of the child and discussing future sexual activity."

Langley's behaviour was made worse by his distribution and possession of indecent images of children. Judge Thackray said: "This has been very much a fall from grace for you."

He was jailed for three years and given a 10-year sexual harm prevention order. He must also register as a sex offender for life.

Langley stood down from his councillor role at the local elections in May.

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A construction worker who raped a three-year-old child has been given a 31-year sentence.

Bradley Martin, 29, of Chandler Road in Bexhill, raped his victim multiple times between April and October, 2022.

Police were made aware after the childs mother took them to hospital for examination after finding unexplained injuries. Hospital staff in Hastings raised concerns to Sussex Police and an investigation was launched.

Martin was arrested on 26 October, 2022, and his phone revealed incriminating searches including how do police know if something has been penetrated? and how many years for sex offenders in Bexhill?.

Officers also found 127 illegal images of extreme pornography involving both animals and humans.

He was subsequently charged with three counts of rape of a child under 13 and remanded in custody.

He pleaded not guilty to all charges, but at Hove Crown Court on Monday, 3 July, was found guilty of each of the offences.

At Hove Crown Court on Friday (29 September), Martin was sentenced to 23 years in prison, with another eight to be spent on extended licence.

He will be on the Sex Offenders Register for life and was given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order significantly restricting his access to children and digital devices.

Detective Constable Kelly Yates, of Hastings Safeguarding Investigations Unit, said: Bradley Martin abused his young victim in the most heinous way, uncovered thanks to the care of the childs mother and diligence of medical professionals.

My thanks go to the victim and their family for their courage and determination through what has been an extremely difficult process.

With their support we have been able to put Martin behind bars for a significant amount of time and put steps in place to ensure he can cause no further harm to the public.

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A convicted sex offender breached a court order after a 16-year-old boy was discovered in his house when police were investigating an assault. He admitted the boy had visited his home a number of times as they liked listening to music together.

Martin Tavener, 32, of Maesteg, was made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) in 2020 after he was found in possession of indecent images of a child under 18. In 2008, he was sentenced to three years and 164 days imprisonment after he was convicted of attempted rape, for which he was made subject to sex offender notification requirements indefinitely. A condition of the SHPO prevented him from having contact with children under 18-years-old

A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Wednesday heard police were called to Station Hill, where the defendant lives, on June 18 after there were reports of violence and fighting. They knocked on Tavener's door, a 16-year-old boy answered and the defendant was seen at the top of the stairs.

He was detained and after police ran a check on him it was discovered he was subject to a SHPO. He was arrested and interviewed, with the defendant admitting he had allowed the 16-year-old into his flat and they enjoyed listening to music together.

Tavener later pleaded guilty to breach of a SHPO. Prosecutor Gareth James said the defendant had previously breached the SHPO in 2020 after he was found in the company of 17-year-olds in a graveyard, for which he received 24 weeks imprisonment.

In mitigation, Adam Sharp said there had been an altercation outside his client's home in which the defendant and the youth had suffered injuries. The barrister said Tavener had offered the youth sanctuary in his flat before the boy's mother arrived. He said the defendant had a "traumatic childhood" and has been registered unfit to work since 2010.

Sentencing, the Recorder of Cardiff Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke said: "You have a fixed view you are not a sex offender, that you pose no risk and the SHPO is not necessary. You were well aware of the terms of the SHPO and you made a deliberate decision to not to obey them. You say you are not guilty of your previous convictions, that you are not a risk to children, that you should not be subject to the order and you choose to breach it."

Tavener was sentenced to one year imprisonment. He will serve half the sentence in custody before he is released to serve the remainder on licence.

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A 57-year-old Devon man who arranged to sexually abuse a child has been jailed for five and a half years thanks to a police sting operation.

James Pidgeon, of Crest Hill, Buckfastleigh, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to arranging/facilitating the commission of a child sex offence, as well as the distribution of indecent photographs of children and breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which places restrictions on a person's access to the internet.

Pidgeon was sentenced at Exeter Crown Court on Tuesday, 3 October, to the jail term with an extended five years on license. He was also given an indefinite SHPO and forfeiture of digital devices order.

Exeter Crown Court heard how Pidgeon, a registered sex offender with prior convictions for possession and making indecent images of children, was already subject to an SHPO.

Despite the prevention order, he continued to commit online offences relating to children.

Following work carried out by the Devon and Cornwall Police Paedophile Online Investigation Team, Pidgeon was identified by investigators and an investigation was launched.

Meanwhile, a sting operation by the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU) revealed that Pidgeon was engaged in online conversations with someone he believed had access to a child. In fact, the person was a NEROCU police officer.

Transcripts of their online conversations showed that Pidgeon had bragged about how he had been a paedophile for more than 30 years and sent multiple indecent images and videos of children being sexually abused, some of which featured babies being abused.

Within these transcripts, Pidgeon talked of his desire to rape children, with his sexual preferences being female toddlers, and that the purpose of the meeting was to gain access to a child that he could rape.

They arranged to meet up on Torquay seafront where officers swooped in and made their arrest.

Pidgeon was remanded into custody in July this year and was charged with arranging/facilitating the commission of a child sex offence, distribution of indecent images of children and breach of a sexual harm prevention order.

Investigating Officer Detective Constable Sophie House said: “Despite being subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, this did not deter Pidgeon from continuing to commit online offences relating to children.

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POLICE have released the mugshot of an army veteran who asked who he thought was a 14-year-old boy to carry out sex acts in the back of his van in a supermarket car park.

Sean Golder, formerly of the Royal Engineers, was arrested in the car park of Morrisons in Carmarthen on March 10 after arranging to meet the ‘boy’ – who was actually an undercover police officer.

Golder was jailed for a total of 19 months in prison for attempting to meet a child after grooming and attempted sexual communication with a child.

Swansea Crown Court heard that Golder began messaging the ‘boy’ on social media on March 8, saying he was on his way to Carmarthen and was “looking for fun”.  

The profile said the ‘boy’ was 19, but in their first message he said was 14 – asking if that was too young, prosecutor Ieuan Rees said.

Golder replied: “Lol where are you? Are you looking for fun?”, adding “We could have fun in my van”.

The pair exchanged numbers and moved the conversation on to WhatsApp.

Golder asked the ‘boy’ for a photograph, and when the officer sent one, replied: “Wow is that really you?  I need you to run here now”.

“It is plainly very obviously a picture of a young boy, I would say no older than 14,” said Recorder Simon Mills. “The very idea that he thought the person was an adult is simply ludicrous.”

The defendant also spoke about them touching each other in the back of his van, and suggested “getting undressed” and video calling, Mr Rees said.

Golder suggested meeting the ‘boy’ at his home, but the officer replied it would be “too risky”. Instead, it was agreed they would meet in the Morrisons car park in Carmarthen on March 10.

Ahead of the meeting, Golder asked: “Do you want me to touch you, w*** you, and suck you?”.

When Golder arrived at the store, he was arrested by police.

Golder had also taken ‘poppers’ – or alkyl nitrites – to the attempted meeting, and told the ‘boy’ the drugs would “turn him in to a s***”.

Golder, 55, formerly of The Pound in Pembroke Dock and now of Cosheston, has no previous convictions.

Helen Randall, defending, said that Golder had left school at 16 and joined the army. He was in the army for 23 years and served in Germany, Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Ms Randall said Golder had made use of his time in custody by completing English and maths qualifications and by taking up jobs.

She said the defendant “has been punished to a high level already by the time he’s served waiting for today’s sentence”.

Dyfed-Powys Police worked alongside officers from Tarian Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) in taking down Golder.

As well as his prison sentence, Golder must now register as a sex offender for 10 years, and was made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order for the same period of time.

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William Stubbs, 64, enticed the victim with alcohol and money and sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions between April 2017 and December 2019.

He was convicted after a trial last month on seven counts of sexual assault and a further count of causing/inciting sexual activity.

Stubbs, formerly of Bircotes, but latterly of Portland Meadows, Retford, was jailed for four-and-a-half years when he appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on September 29.

He was also made subject of a restraining order and must sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.

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A 'creepy' maths teacher made a schoolgirl play a game of sexual dares before luring her into bed.

Married James Stromfield, 39, who taught at a secondary school in Sussex, devised a sex game for the 15-year-old pupil to play at his home while his wife was out.

He wrote down 12 sexual dares, such as 'remove an item of clothing' or 'make out', on a piece of paper.

The teacher then produced a pair of dice and told her to roll them with the number corresponding to a sexual forfeit.

The game of sexual dares in February ended when he got her into bed where he sexually assaulted her.

Last week Stromfield was jailed for 12 years after he pleaded guilty to two counts of rape, two counts of attempted rape, one charge of sexual activity with a child and one of inciting sexual activity with a child.

The tearful victim said she had been 'sickened' and 'disgusted' by his actions and was left 'completely broken'.

Reading a statement to court she sobbed as she told how her life had been destroyed and she had been left suffering 'flashbacks and nightmares' over her ordeal.

She said: 'James Stromfield's actions have affected me and my daily life in a way I wouldn't wish on anyone. I feel like a part of me died on February 27.

'I was keeping a big secret to myself and it was destroying me day by day'.

She said: 'I wasn't the one who should have known better. I was a child and still am. Mr Stromfield is now 39.

'He has taken away many significant experiences teenage girls should be able to feel.

'I would claw at my skin as it no longer felt like it belonged to me after it had been touched by him'.

Hove Crown Court heard the girl had been a pupil at a secondary school where Stromfield taught maths.

When the teenager began to suffer problems at home, she spoke to the teacher frequently and came to trust him.

The head teacher was forced to step in and formally warned Stromfield not to have any further contact with the pupil.

But Stromfield downloaded an app, Proton, which automatically deletes messages, and continued to contact the girl using it.

Orlando Gibbons, prosecuting, said: 'The victim initially saw him as a friend, father figure as well as a teacher. Over time his messages to her became flirtatious and sexual, which she did find a little creepy.'

The court heard she put up with the messages because she did not want to lose the support and friendship of the teacher.

When his wife was out, Stromfield arranged for the girl to come to his home in West Sussex.

The pair played the game of sexual forfeits before getting into bed where sexual activity took place.

However the girl had been tracked to the address by her then-boyfriend using the Snapchat app.

Stromfield was arrested by police on suspicion of child abduction but refused to comment. He was released on bail with strict instructions not to contact the victim.

Stromfield ignored the bail conditions and the pair met again at his house in February while he wife was out.

They went to an upstairs spare bedroom where sexual activity once again took place before he drove her back in his car.

The girl's father found handwritten notes in her handbag written to the teenager by the teacher.

The note read: 'Sorry to hear things were tough for you, hopefully it helps I am thinking and missing you. If you want to meet sometime see instructions on reverse. I will be there every day at 11.00am just in case you turn up.'

A second note read: 'I miss you so much and being apart is really tough. If you do want to come and see me come alone and be 100 per cent sure you can't be tracked. Love you loads Xx.'

Two days later the victim went to his home again and went to his spare room where he raped her.

However police had already been called and turned up at the house while the victim and the teacher were naked in bed.

Stromfield ordered her to quickly put on some clothes before he answered the door.

Police found the victim curled up in a ball on the floor of the spare bedroom and the teacher was arrested once again.

He was charged with a series of serious sexual offences including rape, attempted rape and sexual activity with a child.

Jailing him Recorder Quincy Whittaker said: 'You groomed the victim. Your behaviour was abusive, exploitative and harmful to her.'

She said the teenager had suffered 'psychological trauma' that may last her entire life.

Recorder Whittaker said through 'distorted and dysfunctional thinking' Stromfield had managed to convince himself that his sexual attention was in some way helping with girl with her problems at home and self-esteem.

She told Stromfield he must serve at least eight years before being considered for parole and ordered him to pay his victim £5,000 compensation.

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Convicted sex offender James Lorenzo King, (48) of no fixed address, was convicted of multiple counts of indecent assault and gross indecency. The Judge at Preston Crown Court ordered that King’s nine-year sentence would only start after he had served the 13-year sentence he was given at Leeds Crown Court for similar offences in 2019.

Lorraine Widdas, of East CID, said: “King is a dangerous individual who has a clear and sordid sexual interest in young girls. He groomed the victim in this case, made her think they were in a relationship and took advantage of her innocence."

The victim was just 14 when King began grooming her online – boasting that he had previously been in a relationship with a girl of the same age.

King, who was 28 at the time and living in Scarborough, would pick the victim up from school and take her to secluded spots in Darwen and Burnley to have sex in the car, despite knowing she was underage. He would also drive her back to Scarborough.

When the victim told him to stop, King would continue having sex with her.

He would also order her to have sex with his friends and would get angry when she refused, holding a knife to her throat on one occasion.