Latest Offenders

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.

Description

A Southampton man has been jailed for 25 years for historic sexual offences committed against four children in Merseyside.

Graham Goodchild, 82, of Firtree Way, denied the offences but following a trial was found guilty at Liverpool Crown Court on June 11.

Yesterday he was jailed for 17 counts of sexual assault and an attempted sexual assault.

The offences against the four male victims occurred in the 1960s and early 1970s, during which time he was working as a Night Superintendent at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.

The majority of the sexual assaults occurred within parks, the homes of the victims or at Goodchild’s home in Merseyside, with one victim being abused at the hospital.

As well as a prison sentence, Goodchild will be required to sign the Sex Offender Register for life.

Detective Constable Jason Banks, who led the investigation, said: “Goodchild is clearly a predator and used his position of trust to carry out appalling and despicable offences against young children.

"The level of offending in this case and the acts he subjected his victims to were truly horrific.

“I’d like to thank the victims for their immense courage and strength they’ve shown throughout this investigation. This sentencing result has only been made possible thanks to their bravery.”

Specially Trained Officer, Jill Burnett, who supported the victims throughout the investigation, added: “I hope this also encourages others who might have been subjected to instances of historical abuse to come forward because no time is a barrier to reporting offences.

"They will get the support and advice they need to help them come to terms with their ordeal, and if they so wish, put their abuser before the courts."

Description

A child sex offender from Sevenoaks who was captured on dashcam giving a pep talk to himself as he faced allegations of rape has been jailed for almost 20 years.

The recording was seized by Kent Police as part of an investigation into a catalogue of offences committed by Karl Fisher between 2018 and 2022.

Fisher subjected his young victim to repeated and systematic abuse, which included incidents when he would make them wear an eye mask, as well as headphones playing loud music.

The evidence on the dashcam was captured shortly before Fisher knew he was about to be arrested, on 27 May 2022.

When the device was analysed by investigating officers, he was heard offering himself words of encouragement, including ‘you’ve got this’ and ‘you’ve still got options’.

Guilty by unanimous verdict

At Maidstone Crown Court, Fisher, 34, admitted charges of taking indecent images of a child, and causing a child to engage in sexual activity but denied offences which included at least five rapes, as well as repeated sexual assaults and witness intimidation.

The case went to trial and a jury found him guilty by unanimous verdict.

On 23 September 2024, Fisher was sentenced to 19 years and six months’ imprisonment.

He was deemed as ‘dangerous’ by the judge and will have to serve two thirds of the sentence before he can apply for parole.

Upon his eventual release from prison, Fisher will be subject to an extended licence period of four years. He was also added to the sex offenders register for life.

Description

A man who requested “naughty chat without jail” when he messaged what he believed was a 14-year-old girl has been placed on the sex offenders register.

Alan Sutherland appeared in the dock at Aberdeen Sheriff Court where he admitted sending explicit sexual messages to a child decoy account created by a member of a paedophile hunter group.

Description

A Medway resident who breached his sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) has been jailed.

Ben Champion was convicted at Maidstone Crown Court in 2020 of making indecent images of children, and was made subject of a court order that placed strict conditions on his behaviour indefinitely.

These included restrictions preventing any unsupervised contact with children, notifying the police if he stayed at a new address for more than seven days and retaining his internet history for inspection by officers.

Breaches

On 18 April 2024, constables attended Champion’s registered home and found he had been residing at a different property.

Their enquiries also found he had been in contact with children and had deleted some of the internet history on his phone.

Champion, of Old Road, Chatham, was arrested and charged with multiple breaches of his sexual harm prevention order between March and April.

Jailed

He pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court and, on Tuesday 17 September, the 31-year-old was jailed for two years and eight months.

Description

A convicted sex offender suggested he and a teenage girl - who turned out to be an adult decoy - watch Harry Potter before embarking on a sexual relationship, a court has heard.

Sean Denniston, who has a previous conviction for a child sex offence, repeatedly messaged who he thought was a 14-year-old on Facebook despite telling her he had a fiancee.

Norwich Crown Court heard the 34-year-old and the decoy exchanged selfies with each other before Denniston went on to suggest they meet up and see a Harry Potter film and also visit "Harry Potter land".

Lynne Shirley, prosecuting, said Denniston told the decoy they should meet up in Walcott where he lived as part of repeated communication which went on for five weeks.

She said Denniston told the girl they should keep their communication a "secret" telling her she should say she was a "friend of his niece" if she was asked by his partner.

Denniston asked her if she would have sex with him and suggested they do it when her mother was not at her home in Norwich.

He asked her if she would be "up for it" and told her he would be "gentle".

Miss Shirley said on July 16 this year members of the paedophile hunter group attended his address and alerted police.

Denniston, of Norwich, appeared in court for sentencing on Friday having admitted attempted sexual communication with a child between June and July this year.

He also admitted being in breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

Jailing him for 30 months, Recorder Paul Garlick said these were "serious offences" made more serious by his previous offences.

Lori Tucker, mitigating, said Denniston, who deserved credit for plea, had a problem with alcohol - which was at the root of his offending - and has suffered from non-epileptic seizures.

She said as it was an adult decoy Denniston had been communicating there was no actual risk of harm.

But she accepted there must be some harm as Denniston thought he was dealing with a child.

Denniston was also made the subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and also put on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

Description

A man has been jailed after being convicted of historic sexual offences against children.

Philip Tomlinson appeared at Chester Crown Court on Monday 23 September where he was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

The 56-year-old, of HMP Altcourse but previously of Leeds, had been found guilty of three counts of rape of a girl under 16 and two counts of buggery, following a week-long trial in June.

In February 2022, Cheshire Police were contacted by a woman reporting that she had been raped several times in the 1990s.

The victim disclosed being raped on at least three occasions by Tomlinson, once in Winsford and twice in the North Wales area.

Police then received a further report from a male victim, who stated he had been raped by Tomlinson.

This second victim reported the offences took place in the 1980s in the Northwich area.

Tomlinson was subsequently arrested and interviewed in relation to the offences against both victims, but denied the allegations.

Officers then conducted a lengthy investigation to ultimately get charges authorised against Tomlinson, while supporting the victims. 

On top of his custodial sentence, he is subject to asexual harm prevention order and required to sign the sex offender register.

Description

A sick sexual predator who attacked a woman while she slept has been put behind bars.

Yousef Camara, 24, struck after being allowed to stay at the property by two young women. Despite a bed being made up for him, Camara, of Broad Lane, took advantage of their kindness, going on to sexually assault one of them as they slept, Bradford Crown Court heard on Monday.

He was found guilty of assault by penetration following a trial at the court in July. Judge Jonathan Gibson said the victim, who must not be identified for legal reasons, had been particularly vulnerable at the time of the offence because she was asleep.

Barrister Paul Canfield said his client, who was assisted by an Italian interpreter, had suffered trauma in the past as a result of a friend dying and racism. He also revealed Camara had also been attacked while in custody last week.

No victim personal statement was provided for the court but Judge Gibson said the victim had been “incredibly upset” about what had happened. He jailed Camara for five years for the offence, as well as an extra two weeks in custody after he failed to turn up at a previous hearing in January.

As a result of his sentence, Camara, who will serve two-thirds of his jail term, will now have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life and he must also comply with an indefinite restraining order which bans him from contacting the woman.

Description

A paedophile has been jailed for more than 25 years for raping two children

In some instances, Karl Young, 33, offered his victims alcohol and made aggressive threats towards them if they did not comply with his advances.

Both victims bravely raised the alarm about Young to those around them who informed Northumbria Police, and he was arrested in December of last year.

Following a thorough investigation by specialist officers from the force’s safeguarding department, he was charged with a string of sexual offences including rape.

While initially denying any involvement, Young, of St Marks Way in South Shields, later pleaded guilty to nine offences including assault by penetration, engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, sexual assault, and four counts of rape of a child at Newcastle Crown Court on May 7.

He was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing.

On Friday, Young appeared before the same court where a judge sentenced him to 25 years and six months in prison, and a further year on licence.

He will also spend the rest of his life on the Sex Offenders’ Register, and was handed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Leading the investigation for Northumbria Police was Detective Constable Gavin James.

Speaking after Young’s sentencing, he said: “Young is a calculated predator, who used alcohol and aggression to coerce his victims into sexual activity.

“I would like to commend both of the survivors in this case for the immeasurable bravery they have shown throughout the whole process.

“From coming forward and raising the alarm to those around them, and then having to re-live their pain speaking about Young’s horrific actions towards them.

“Ultimately, their unwavering support has allowed us to bring a vile offender like Young to justice – and I hope the survivors and their loved ones are able to find some closure in today’s outcome knowing he is now behind bars.”

Det Con James added: “I hope this sends a clear message to those who have committed these types of crimes – you won’t get away with them and we’ll do everything in our power to put dangerous offenders like Young before the courts.

“Most importantly, this result is an example of what we can do when we work together to support survivors of sexual offences and hold their abusers to account.

“If you’ve been a victim of sexual abuse, please know that we can help you – and we will listen to you.

“Please come forward and report anything of concern today.”

Description

Gavin Morrison (44) was sentenced today, Monday, 23 September 2024 at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court in connection with a series of sexual offences committed in the Kirkcaldy area.

He was found guilty on Wednesday, 28 August 2024 at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court.

 Detective Constable Carol Fraser at Glenrothes said:

 "Gavin Morrison is a predatory sexual offender who preyed on young females whilst they were walking or playing in their local communities.

  “He has shown no remorse for his deplorable actions that were committed over a period between 2015 and 2022.

   “I would like to thank those involved for their strength in coming forward during this investigation and criminal trial. I hope the conviction and sentencing provides them with some sense of closure and allows them to move on from this horrendous ordeal.

Description

A 34-year-old man has been sentenced to four years and four months in prison and a further four years on extended licence after being convicted of child sex offences.

Ben Haymes, previously of Bodmin and Bude, appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentence on Friday 20 September having pleaded guilty to assaulting a boy under 13 by touching, seven making indecent images of children charges, two counts of possessing extreme pornography, voyeurism, two possessing a prohibited images of a child charges and two counts of showing an indecent photograph.

Haymes was also made subject of a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

The court heard how in July 2019 at an address in Bude, police executed a search warrant after receiving information an indecent image of a child had been uploaded to the internet by someone at the location.

A digital examination revealed that a folder linked to Haymes contained a number of indecent images of children. In one clip Haymes could be seen touching the groin area of a child over clothing.

The video was sent to another male along with messages in which Haymes stated his sexual intentions for the child.

Examination of Haymes’ devices revealed hundreds of further indecent images, spanning all three categories, some of the Category C images featuring another child known to Haymes, with Haymes again setting out his intentions for the child.

Haymes also possessed extreme pornography showing sex acts involving his own dog. 

Data extraction showed a number of secret recordings of boys using a toilet. There were also further conversations in which Haymes stated his sexual preference for young children and animals.

Officers in the case DC Charlotte Norris said: “I welcome the sentence issued to Ben Haymes after a lengthy complex investigation.

“I praise the family of the victim for putting their faith in the police Investigation and acting with dignity throughout.

“Ben Haymes is a dangerous sex offender who was in possession of horrendous child abuse images of young children and spoke freely about his desires.

“I hope this case sends out a strong message to those committing child sex offences and viewing child abuse material that we will find them and bring them to justice.”