Latest Offenders

Description

A paedophile who was initially discovered with indecent images by his wife who recorded him playing guitar breached a court order after being found with further images or child abuse. He tried to delete the images after police made an unannounced visit to his home.

Eifion Humphries, 32, was made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order in 2023 after he was convicted of possessing images of child abuse, including photos that had mages of young girls being orally raped by a man. He was discovered after he asked his wife to use his mobile to video him playing the guitar and she saw what was stored on the device.

A sentencing hearing at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Monday heard Humphries was sentenced to a community order, and was made subject to conditions which would prohibit him from deleting his internet browsing history and his electronic devices regularly monitored. Prosecutor Matthew Murphy said police visited the defendant's home in Newtown, Powys, on August 22, and he suspiciously took his phone to the toilet.

The device was later inspected and was found to contain indecent images of children, between the ages of eight and 10-years-old, in a deleted file. He had also been messaging a woman with four children.

Humphries, of Parkers Lane, was arrested and told police he had visited a chatroom, because he was "bored", and was sent the images by others which he had not requested. He did say he was prepared to distribute the images if anyone asked for them. The defendant had also deleted the Telegram app, which he was prohibited from doing.

In total, Humphries was found in possession of 41 category A images, 40 category C images and 72 category C images. In mitigation, Sol Hartley said his client had told him "I have a problem, I need to be in prison". The barrister said the defendant needed help to better understand his actions, and recognised immediate custody was inevitable.

Judge Jeremy Jenkins sentenced Humphries to 24 months imprisonment. He also made him subject to a new Sexual Harm Prevention Order and sex offender notification requirements for 10 years each.

Description

A former East Yorkshire pub landlord has been jailed after he targeted and sexually assaulted three young women after he repeatedly pestered them and tried to "shower" them with cash or lavish gifts or holidays.

The victims of sex-obsessed Gerald Ellis felt powerless to speak out, but they finally did so when he was prosecuted for having indecent videos and images of children, Hull Crown Court heard.

Ellis, 64, of Primrose Drive, Filey, admitted three offences of sexual assault against one woman and two offences of assault by penetration against her between December 2013 and May 2016.

He also admitted sexually assaulting a second woman between January 2016 and December 2017 and two offences of sexually assaulting a third woman between November 2016 and March 2020.

Claire Holmes, prosecuting, said that the offences against the three young women came to light after Ellis was sentenced at Hull Crown Court in September 2020 for three offences involving downloading indecent images of children.

The case was reported in the press. "On learning of that conviction, the three complainants came forward," said Miss Holmes.

Ellis' behaviour towards the first of the women included repeatedly touching her intimately.

He trapped her against a wall and she was unable to move. He kissed her but she managed to push past him and told him to get off her. Other people saw Ellis intimately touching her.

She later described the incidents as "horrible" and she said that she came forward to report them because she did not want Ellis to do the same thing to anyone else.

The offence against the second woman happened when Ellis lunged at her and tried to kiss her. "She pulled back," said Miss Holmes. The woman later said that she had been very affected by the press report of Ellis looking at indecent images of children and this "broke her heart".

The incidents involving the third woman included hitting her on the bottom over her clothes when he passed her. He offered her £1,000 to sleep with him but she refused. The woman found the sexual assault behaviour of Ellis "weird and uncomfortable". During police interview, Ellis denied the offences.

Ellis admitted separate offences of breaching a sexual harm prevention order and breaching his notification requirements as a convicted sex offender following the indecent images conviction.

These involved allowing a girl to stay at his home when he should not have done and having an iPad that was not registered with the police.

Simon Reevell, mitigating, said that Ellis had pleaded guilty on the day of a scheduled trial. "For everyone, this is a sorry and unfortunate business," said Mr Reevell. "This is the end of a sorry period."

Judge Alexander Menary said that Ellis "targeted" the three women and "showered them" with gifts and money, including "expensive items" such as a mobile phone, a horse and holidays abroad.

"These offences are so serious that only immediate custody can be justified," said Judge Menary. "There have been no further contact offences since these offences were committed."

Ellis, who was already in custody on remand, was jailed for three years and two months and he was given a sexual harm prevention order for 12 years. He was given a 15-year restraining order and must register as a sex offender for life.

During the previous court case in September 2020, the court heard that Ellis, known as Gerry, watched videos of children being abused, including a girl of four or five being raped. Another showed a boy and girl, aged between eight and 10, being forced to perform sexual acts.

Police seized his laptop in March 2019 and videos and images were found.

Ellis, at the time, had been drinking excessively, including up to 15 pints a day, the court heard that day. His wife left him and he turned to pornography.

Ellis was given a two-year community order at the time, with rehabilitation days, and he had to register as a sex offender for five years.

Description

A convicted sex offender claimed to be a teacher and sent pictures of his penis to someone he thought was a 12-year-old girl, a court has heard. In fact Timothy Edwards was communicating with an undercover police officer.

Swansea Crown Court heard Edwards used a false name and a picture of a cat in his online profile - a picture which turned out to be a snap of the family cat which had been taken in the conservatory of the family home. The court also heard the defendant began sending sexual messages and images to the online cop just weeks after being handed a suspended prison sentence for possession of images of children being sexually abused.

Alycia Carpanini, prosecuting, said in May, 2024, Edwards was given a sentence of eight months in prison suspended for two years and was made subject to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) after being convicted of making indecent images of children. As part of the order the defendant must notify police about any internet-enabled devices he owns, and he is prohibited form having social media accounts or online profiles in any name other than Timothy Edwards or an alternative that has not been approved by his offender manager.

The court heard that in June this year Edwards initiated contact with a profile purporting to be that of a 12-year-old girl on the networking platform Kik. The defendant had the username ThomWayne500 and his profile picture was of a black cat. The defendant began chatting to the "girl" and said he was a teacher from Bristol and said he was glad it was the school summer holidays. When the girl asked him if he was a teacher at her school Edwards said no, and said he would remember teaching a "cute young lady" like her.

The court heard the defendant then began making "suggestive" comments to the decoy and asking for pictures, and told her if she sent him a rude photo he would send one back. The prosecutor said Edwards then sent the decoy pictures of his erect penis - one showing him having just ejaculated - and sent her a series of sexual messages during which he said he wished he was her teacher and said he would give her private sex education lessons. The decoy send Edwards a picture of a girl in a shirt and stripped school-type tie and the defendant responded by calling her beautiful and saying he wanted to unbutton her shirt. He asked her for a selfie which he could use as a background picture on his phone ,and asked her for pictures of her in her bra and for topless snaps. For the latest court reports, sign up to our crime newsletter here

The court heard that on the morning of August 15 police officers went to the defendant's home address in Swansea and arrested him. After being cautioned the defendant said: "There is a Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra in the house and my wife knows where it is". Officers located and seized the mobile and on it found an email account in the name of ThomWayne500 which contained emails from the Kik, Telegram and Instagram platforms. The court heard the black cat depicted in the Kik profile Edwards was using appeared to be a snap of the Edwards' family cat taken in the conservatory at his home address. The court also heard that details in the background of the penis pictures which the defendant sent to the decoy were consistent with them having been taken in his bedroom at the property. The Samsung phone itself had not previously been disclosed to the police.

Edward Timothy, aged 24, of Cwmgelli Road, Morriston, Swansea, had previously pleaded guilty to breaching a sexual harm prevention, attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child - the charge is one of attempt as no real child was involved - and sending a photograph or film of genitals to cause alarm, distress or humiliation when he appeared in the dock for sentencing. He has one previous conviction for three offences of making - that is possessing - indecent images of categories A, B and C.

With credit for his guilty pleas Edwards was sentenced to 15 months in prison for the new offences and recorder Greg Bull KC activated the previously imposed eight month sentence in full to run consecutively making an overall sentence of 23 months in prison. A new 10-year sexual harm prevention order was imposed - albeit it an order with same terms as the previous one - and the defendant will be a registered sex offender for the next 10 years.

Description

Jonathan Walker, 34, from Liversedge, Kirklees, subjected a young girl to “appalling offences” between 2005 and 2007.

Following an investigation by Kirklees District Child Safeguarding Unit, Walker was found guilty following a trial at Leeds Crown Court in August.

On Wednesday (Sept 25), the 34-year-old was sentenced to six years in prison for sexual offences against a child.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Natalie Green, of the Kirklees District Child Safeguarding Unit, said: “The appalling offences Walker committed against a young girl has affected her deeply, and illustrates the dreadful impact this can have on a victim.

“I would personally like to thank her for her bravery throughout this process and I hope the conclusion of this case brings her some closure on an extremely difficult time in her life.”

“I hope this sentence also provides a reminder to victims that we take all reports of sexual offences seriously and in confidence no matter when they happened. All reports will be thoroughly investigated by our specially trained officers who will also provide you with support throughout.”

Description

Brett Wight, 47, subjected the woman to multiple rapes causing her lasting physical injuries.

The stoic victim, though, had the fortitude to come forward to disclose the offences to police.

An investigation was immediately launched by the Northumbria force and last year the defendant was charged with multiple sexual offences.

Wight, of Throckley, Newcastle, went on trial at the city’s crown court late last year where he was convicted by a jury of four counts of rape, following the two-week hearing.

He returned to the court, on Friday (September 20), where he received a 15-year custodial sentence to be followed by an eight-year extended licence period.

Wight will also be subject to registration as a sex offender and prohibitions under the terms of a restraining order, both for life.

Following the sentencing hearing, the sister of the survivor of his crimes praised the police investigators for their, “remarkable actions.”

She said: “I cannot emphasise how much of an impact the brilliance of Northumbria Police has had on my family.

“I can say with all honesty we would not have had this result had it not been for your amazing police force.

“Particularly those officers who have been by our side and supported us since the start.”

She singled out Detective Constable Leo Douglas and Police Constable Kris Wightman, who she described as, “the absolute guardian angels” of her sister.

“The care, attention, support, professionalism, shown is astonishing.

“I cannot emphasise enough how important it is that those officers on my sister’s case are recognised for their brilliance.

“I don’t think there is an award big enough for them.

“If I could scream this from the rooftops for the whole world to hear, believe me, I would!”

She said the force ought to be seen as, “amazing”, and should be, “celebrated and recognised for their brilliance.”

The grateful sibling added: “I will spend the rest of my life spreading positivity about Northumbria Police and how wonderful they are.

“I know my sister feels exactly the same.”

The officer leading the case, DC Douglas, responded by saying: “First and foremost, I would like to thank the survivor for the incredible strength she has shown which has ultimately made it possible to bring her abuser to justice.

“No-one should ever have to experience what she went through at the hands of Wight, but without bravery in reporting what had happened, he would not be behind bars today and his offending may never even have come to light.

“Her strength and bravery is something she should be incredibly proud of, and I want to personally thank her for her tenacity, and her continued co-operation throughout our investigation.”

He added: “Wight is a dangerous individual and deserves to be behind bars for a significant length of time.

“As a force, protecting and supporting vulnerable victims is our top priority and we will continue to work incredibly hard to put offenders before the courts and ensure that no-one gets away with this type of criminality.”

He urged any victim to take the first step and come forward, stressing they will be listened to and supported, “in whatever way we can.”

Description

A registered sex offender (RSO) who breached his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) has been jailed today (25 September) for two years.

Sean Beazant, aged 38,  of no fixed address was sentenced today at Carlisle Crown Court for:

• Three breaches of his Sex Offender Requirements (SONR)
• One breach of a SHPO which was issued by Sheffield Crown Court on 19 January 2022
• Possession of a Class B drug

The court heard how from 30 January 2024 an officer from South Yorkshire Constabulary made numerous attempts to contact Beazant at his home address without success. There was found to be no one living at the property where Beazant had stated he was residing.

Following enquiries and appeals by MOSOVO officers from South Yorkshire and Cumbria Constabulary, and a fantastic response from members of the public in Cumbria, Beazant was located at an address in Kendal, Cumbria, where he was living with his partner who was not aware of his RSO status or his true name.

 Upon arrival at the property, he was seen to flee from a first-floor window.

An area search was conducted and with assistance from members of the public Beazant was located and arrested for breach of SHPO.  He was also found in possession of a quantity of cannabis.

Whilst at the police station, officers located a mobile phone on Beazant’s possession which had not been declared to police – which was a requirement of his SHPO.

Beazant was put on the Sex Offenders Register in 2021 and an obligation of this includes informing police where he is living and notifying of any mobile devices.

The woman who was in a relationship with Beazant was not aware if his previous sexual offending history and wasn’t aware of his correct second name.

Beazant admitted all charges against him at an earlier hearing.

Detective Sergeant Beccy Joseph, Management of Sexual Offenders & Violent Offenders (MOSOVO) team, said: “Beazant was fully aware of the requirements of him being a named person on the Sex Offender Register and the terms of the SHPO imposed against him when he breached these.

“We work hard to monitor and manage people who are subject to such orders to assess and manage the risk that they pose to the public and to ensure that they are held to account for any breaches of court orders that are issued to assist in managing their risk, and to ensure that the public is safe from harm.  

"This was a great example of police and the public working together to locate a sex offender trying to evade their responsibilities.

"If anyone is found to breach the terms of these preventative orders we will find them, and we take a zero-tolerance approach.  I hope todays sentencing shows how seriously we take the management of sex offenders.”

Description

A man who was caught with horror videos of children being raped and tortured with a total running time of 21 days has been jailed.

Anthony Ward (Tony Ward) was found with more than 85,000 pictures and videos of children being sexually abused by adults when police raided his Edinburgh home last year.

During the police investigation officers also discovered the 66-year-old had been contacting children on an online video website and offering them money to perform sex acts.

Ward pleaded guilty to a charge of taking or allowing to be taken images of children at his home between November 2020 and March last year when he appeared at the Edinburgh Sheriff Court last month.

He also admitted to two offences of directing sexual communication towards children and instructing them to perform sex acts and returned to the dock for sentencing on Tuesday.

Defence agent Peter Barr said his client acknowledged the material was abhorrent and horrific but had downloaded the images on mass not with the intention of watching them all.

Sheriff Charles Walls told Ward he had been complicit in the abuse of the youngsters depicted in the images with some of the footage showing the torture of children.

Sheriff Walls said: You have been convicted of serious charges relating to possession of indecent images of children and indecent communication with children.

There were a very significant number of category A images, the most serious category, involving penetrative sexual activity and sadism.

In total there were over 80,000 images and videos and when played consecutively it would take over three weeks [for the videos] to be played.

Charge five is particularly serious as you engaged in a video conversation with a child, asked her to masturbate and you also offered to pay her money.

Ward, of the citys Calder area, was jailed for 20 months and was placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

Previously the court was told police received intelligence indecent images were being accessed at Wards home and raided the property at around 7.25am on March 17 last year.

Prosecutor Gillian Koren said 20 USB sticks, three hard drives and a laptop were seized by officers and indecent images of children were found on all the devices.

Ms Koren said a total of 85,763 images and videos had been found with 2957 rated by forensic investigators at Category A - the most serious end of the spectrum.

The fiscal told the court the children involved were aged between four and 15-years-old and the file names included baby rape - hardcore and no limits - child.

Police also found chat logs on the Telegram messaging service that showed Ward had been in contact with children online and had been forcing them to perform sex acts on themselves.

Ward pleaded guilty to a charge of taking, or allowing to be taken, images of children at his home address between November 1, 2020 and March 17 last year.

He also admitted to two offences of directing sexual communication towards children and instructing them to perform sex acts, all between June 14 and December 1, 2011.

Description

A man from Swansea has been handed an extended jail sentence for numerous offences including two counts of attempted rape.

20-year-old Leo Payne, from Bonymaen, was convicted of two counts of attempted rape against two separate victims, as well as one count each of sexual assault, indecent exposure, and GBH.

He has this week been handed an extended sentence of 16 years in prison, of which 11 years and three months is custodial.

Description

A man has been sentenced for the rape and sexual abuse of a girl in Sussex.

Keith Williams, 60, carried out the abuse on the girl over a number of years.

The girl, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, has been supported by specially trained officers.

The incidents were reported to Sussex Police in May 2020 after the victim confided in a family member, who raised the alarm.

Officers then arrested Williams.

Detective Sergeant Nick Green praised the victim for her courage to come forward.

At Hove Crown Court on Friday, September 20, Williams was sentenced to a total of 20 years in prison.

The court was told how the girl made a report in May 2020, reporting rape and sexual abuse.

Williams, of Tintern Close, Eastbourne, was found guilty after trial of four counts of rape of a girl under the age of 13.

He was found guilty of one count of sexual assault by penetration, one count of sexual assault by touching, and one count of child cruelty.

The five day trial at Lewes Crown Court concluded on Friday, August 2.

DS Green from the Eastbourne Safeguarding Investigations Unit said: “Williams carried out heinous crimes that breached the trust of his victim.

“She showed tremendous bravery and courage to report her experience to police.

“We take all reports of rape and sexual assault seriously, and encourage victims to report their experience to police.

“We were determined to get justice for the victim and for other victims, to ensure that dangerous offenders are taken off our streets.”

Description

A man has been jailed after making indecent images of children.

Neil Pavitt, of Allen Street, Maidstone, was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court last month.

The 48-year-old “monster” faced charges of voyeurism and making indecent images of a child.

He was sentenced on August 22 to two years and two months in prison.

Pavitt was put on the sex offenders register for 10 years and given two sexual harm prevention orders and a forfeiture and destruction order relating to his laptop and phone.

Speaking after sentencing, one of his victims said: “Neil Pavitt is a child predator and a monster.

“I despise him for what he has done. The custodial sentence brings profound relief and validation after years of pain and suffering.

“I want to express my deepest gratitude to the dedicated team at Kent Police who worked tirelessly to ensure justice was served.”

Description

A disgraced teacher sent pictures of his naked genitals to teenage girls and begged them for indecent photographs after targeting them online. Robert Collins, 39, was the head of art at Formby High School when he sent perverted messages to several young girls over a period of four years.

His offending was discovered in June 2023 when Collins sent online messages to what he believed was a 12-year-old girl. He told the youngster - who was really an undercover police officer - he was a teacher and asked her "what's the naughtiest thing you've done?". He also asked if she wanted to be in detention with him.

He repeatedly asked her to send him pictures of her body, telling her: "I'm only asking because I like you a lot." He also sent the "girl" a close-up picture of an erect penis and a man's torso along with the message: "Here's my d*** X".

Police then went to Collins' home in Banks Road, Southport, and his electronic devices were seized and examined. These revealed chat logs with three other teenage girls.

Jo Maxwell, prosecuting at Liverpool Crown Court today, said: "Sexual communications with the children and attempted communications were discovered on two phones and a laptop. The communications revealed the defendant had a sexual interest in children. He used different names for himself but always identified himself as a teacher."

The messages spanned a four-year period from August 2019 to May 2023. One girl, who was traced by police, confirmed she had chatted with Collins on Snapchat, Facetime and Omegle, a video chat website shut down in November 2023. Ms Maxwell said: "He told her he was in his early 20s. She said when she heard his voice over a phone call she could tell he wasn't a teenager. He sounded older and she was aware there must have been a disparity in their ages."

He told the girl he was moderating GCSE artwork and offered to help her with her own GCSEs. He also sent her a picture of his penis and asked her to send pictures of her own body in return which she refused to do.

Ms Maxwell said: "He would tell the girl that he loved her and they had a future together and that he wanted to be in a relationship with her. She informed the officer she didn't want to be in a relationship with Collins. There was a disparity in age. She didn't trust him and she thought it was weird that he would send sexually explicit images to her."

Another girl was just 13 when she was contacted on social media by Collins who asked her: "What are those t**s like?" The girl sent a photo and he replied: "Any of them out?". He asked her what her body was like, asked for more pictures and if she would be willing to meet.

Other perverted messages were sent to what Collins believed to be a 15-year-old girl though police were unable to trace her and so it was not known if she was a real teenager or a decoy by online paedophile hunters. Also found on his devices were four category C indecent images of girls.

Collins, who has no previous convictions, initially denied the offences. But he later confessed, telling police: "I was not targeting a particular aged female. It was scattergun." He pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual communications with a child, four counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and one count of possession of indecent images of children (category C).

Emma Kehoe, defending, said: "Anything that I say on behalf of Mr Collins is not an excuse for what he did and he wants to make that perfectly clear through me, because he is embarrassed, devastated about what he did. But there are explanations in relation to why he offended... It's a background that goes some way to explain why this teacher, who had been respected and well liked over the 11 years that he worked, found himself communicating with young women online in the way that he did.

"Collins found himself at home during 2020 lockdown unable to properly carry out his job, that he had carried out well and was well respected for, and he felt frustration because of that, because he cared very much about his students and he loved his job as an art teacher. Incarcerated at home, unable to teach properly during lockdown, he found it very difficult.

"He was teaching online, which was why he found himself in front of the computer for hours on end, and that led to him using it not just in his professional capacity but in the way which brought about the offending. He has been diagnosed with a number of mental health issues including autism and through that diagnosis came an understanding of himself and why he acted the way he did, not just then but in other ways in his life, because in many ways he couldn't understand why he felt different from others.

"He wants to apologise through me. He wants to reiterate he is embarrassed and ashamed, not only for himself but for his family and for his school and past students."

She said Collins had made significant efforts to rehabilitate himself since his arrest, undergoing therapy and completing a number of sex offender courses including a Safer Lives course and the Stop It Now rehabilitation programme. He had also completed volunteer work for food banks and the mental health charity MIND.

Sentencing Collins, judge David Potter accepted his mitigation, saying: "I have no doubt that you are truly remorseful for your offending and I have no doubt you have placed great stock in your rehabilitation, such as I'm satisfied there's a low risk of your reoffending."

But he added: "Despite your remorse, what must be remembered is time and again you made contact with children under 16, time and again you solicited pictures of their bodies and on two occasions you sent pictures of an erect penis to them. In such circumstances a custodial sentence is required." He sentenced Collins to a total of two years and six months in prison.

Mr Alex Wood, Headteacher at Formby High School, said: “We were absolutely appalled to learn of these shocking offences. While the offences are in no way connected to Mr Collins’ work at Formby High School, the severity of their nature meant he was immediately suspended from all duties following his arrest and subsequently dismissed.

“The safety and wellbeing of our students will always be our highest priority and we have robust safeguarding policies in place to ensure their protection.

“We have fully co-operated with the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit and Merseyside Police throughout the investigation and thank them for their diligent work in bringing this individual to account.”

Description

A man from Icklingham has been jailed for 20 years for a series of sexual crimes against children.

56 year old Richard Taylor (above) of West Street in Icklingham was jailed at Ipswich Crown Court on Friday 20 September.

He was sentenced to 20 years in jail and two years on extended licence after he was found guilty during a trial.

He was charged with a total of 17 offences of sexual activity against children and was found guilty of one count of rape, six offences of indecent assault of a male, and nine counts of gross indecency with a child. The offences all took place between 1999 and 2003.

Investigating officer DC Jen Botting said: “I’d like to pay tribute to the immense bravery and courage of both victims and their families. This was a highly complex and difficult case to investigate and without their evidence, it would have been extremely hard to secure this conviction and sentence against Taylor.

“As a consequence of Taylor’s not guilty plea, the victims had to endure revisiting their horrific and distressing experiences as part of the evidence heard during the nine day trial.  I hope the sentence passed provides some level of closure and allows them to move forward with their lives.

“I also hope this case demonstrates just how Suffolk police is committed to fully investigating any allegation of sexual assault, be it recent or non-recent as was the case here and will provide the highest level of support and care to any victim whilst a thorough investigation is carried out.”

Child abuse is often a hidden crime, and we work to ensure that the voice of the child is heard and concerns of abuse or neglect are reported and investigated. The Suffolk Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH), which involves police, county council, education and health, among others works to address issues of risk of harm, abuse and neglect.

Description

A child sex offender’s motorhome trip across the Highlands landed him in prison for failing to report he would stay at campsites where children were present.

Kenneth Bond admitted failing to keep police properly informed about his whereabouts and that he would likely be near families with young children.

Description

A predatory paedophile who planned sexual attacks on innocent children has been jailed.

Sean Wallace, 43, of Woodside Road, Wood Green, was sentenced to 14 years and six months in prison for arranging the rape of a child under 13 and distributing an indecent image of a child.

During an undercover operation in which a police officer posed online as a woman with access to a child, Wallace contacted the officer asking if he could sexually abuse the fictional child.

He sent sexual images of himself as well as indecent images of other children, Scotland Yard said.

During online chat and telephone calls Wallace spoke openly about his desire to abuse young girls and made arrangements to meet the woman in order that he could rape the child.

He was arrested at his home address after he failed to attend the planned meeting, stating that he was nervous and needed more time to build up trust with the woman before meeting her.

The examination of his mobile phone identified that Wallace was speaking online to numerous apparently underage girls.

He was charged on August 19, 2022 and held on remand until his sentencing at Wood Green Crown Court on September 19.

Detective Sergeant Robert Blant, whose team led the investigation, said: “Sean Wallace is a dangerous predatory offender, who preyed on innocent and vulnerable young children.

“My team worked around the clock to bring Wallace to justice by going through large amounts of disturbing digital evidence collated from his online activities and seized from his home.

"I’m pleased that as a result of great policing work, we have prevented a dangerous individual from continuing to offend and ruin the lives of children or young people.

“Our dedicated teams will continue to apply their expertise in investigating child sexual offences to safeguard children and young people across London.”

As part of the New Met for London plan, officers are working closely with third sector partners, including The Children’s Society to help young people, parents and carers spot the signs of sexual abuse and predatory behaviour online and offline.

Description

A ‘sadistic and controlling’ rapist threatened a woman with a gun before subjecting her to a prolonged and degrading sexual assault.

Ryan Beard, aged 26, had been following the woman and tracking her movements via a device he’d placed in her car.

He’s also installed a spywear app on her mobile phone in the weeks and months leading up to the attack on the night of 11 May 2023, when he lured her to his flat by posing as someone else.

He then placed an imitation gun to the woman’s head and into her mouth before filming himself raping her.

Beard was arrested in July when his victim came forward to tell the police what had happened.

He denied all the allegations against him and even claimed his victim was the one harassing him.

He answered “no comment” in a later police interview when he was shown the video of the rape and other digital exhibits detectives had recovered from his phone.

After a trial in July, Beard, formerly of Tuxford, was found guilty of two counts of rape, possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, intentional strangulation, assault and stalking involving fear of violence.

Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday we was given an extended 15 year prison sentence after being deemed a dangerous offender.

He was also added to the sex offenders register for life and handed a restraining order forbidding any future contact with his victim.