Latest Offenders

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A sick predator followed a woman in Bradford then subjected her to a horrific sexual assault.

Kieran Neal, 21, attacked the woman as she walked through Bradford city centre in August 2021. Bradford Crown Court heard on Wednesday that Neal had earlier offered the woman £10 to have sex with him, but she refused. Prosecutor Philip Standfast said she had pushed him off but then saw him performing a sex act in the street.

CCTV footage then showed Neal following the woman, who was a sex worker, and performing the sex act again after he had grabbed her breast and put his hand inside her top. He was recognised from the CCTV by a PCSO but Neal denied being the person on the recording when he was arrested.

The court was told is he currently serving a sentence after being recalled to prison and on Wednesday was sentenced again for sexual assault, indecent exposure and a house burglary, which had been committed in the Preston area in September 2021. Recorder Paul Reid said he had a terrible record of offending for his age.

Neal was jailed for 876 days as a "third strike" burglary offender with concurrent sentences of 10 months and one month for the sexual offences. He was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders' Register for the next seven years.

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A gardener who raped two girls has been jailed for 16 years.

John Gosling’s “appalling abuse” on the two girls included raping them as well as other sexual abuse.

Gosling, from Grange Close in Three Bridges, was convicted for 11 offences at Lewes Crown Court on September 14.

The offences, which dated in the late 2000s and late 2010s, included raping a girl under the age of 13 and raping a girl between the ages of 13 and 15.

The court was told how the victims, who are not known to each other, came forward and disclosed the sexual abuse they had been subjected to.

Gosling was told he will have to serve a minimum of ten and a half years before he can be considered for parole.

A Sexual Harm Prevention Order was also imposed, which restricts his access to children, and he will be a registered sex offender for life.

His 11 convictions included assaulting a girl under the age of 13 by penetration, two counts of assaulting a girl aged 13 to 15 by penetration, and charges of attempting to engage girls aged 13 to 15 in both penetrative and non-penetrative sexual activity.

Detective Constable Angela Harvey from the Brighton Safeguarding Investigations Unit, said: “Gosling committed appalling abuse which has had a lasting impact on the lives of the two girls involved.

“I would like to praise them for the courage they showed to come forward and report their experiences to the police.

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Alexander Edward Davies of Pavilion Way was sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday, September 15. He had admitted breaching his Sexual Harm Prevention Order, three offences of making indecent images of children, distributing indecent images of children, and possessing extreme pornography at an earlier hearing.

Police said Davies was arrested after officers identified a phone that was uploading indecent images of children to the internet. This was found at a family members home and had been hidden. Usage of the device and online activity was a clear breach of Davies Sexual Harm Prevention Order, police said.

Investigating officer PC Gemma Southcott said: Whilst these were not contact offences the breaches of the Sexual Harm Prevention Order are very serious and Im pleased that Davies sentence reflects this.

We take the management of sex offenders incredibly seriously, and invest significant resources into doing everything we can to keep the public safe.

Officers will often make unannounced visits to offenders where they may be subject to an intrusive investigative interview process. This helps us understand an offenders routine, interests and behaviours so we can closely monitor them.

We can also examine their digital devices to ensure they are sticking to the legal requirements imposed on them. These orders are put in place to protect the public, and ensure that individuals do not re-offend.

Where sex offenders fail to comply, as can be seen in this case, they can and will be returned to jail.

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David Griffin, 51, was found guilty of making indecent images of a children, three counts of voyeurism, and sexual assault.

He denied the offences – but was unanimously convicted by a jury at Swindon Crown Court. Today (Tuesday), he was sentenced by Judge Jason Taylor.

The defendant, of Grasmere, Melksham, filmed three children using almost undetectable covert cameras and sexually abused another.

One of Griffin’s victims said he was left suicidal by Griffin’s abuse.

“This is not me, and I never used to be like this… what David has done to me has impacted every part of my life”, he said in a statement read out in court.

Both of Griffin’s other victims also provided impact statements – each describing the adverse effect his abuse has had on them.

Andrew Stone, defending, said “prison will go so much harder for him than it would for a young man”.

He added that Griffin “expressed to me deep remorse for the harm he’s caused these boys”.

But Judge Taylor interjected: “I cant say remorse jumped off the page at any stage [during trial]”.

Mr Stone replied: “What he regrets doing is causing these men pain and suffering, he is aware of the lasting affect this will have on them”.

Judge Taylor said that the defendant’s abuse was “planned, systematic and targeted”, adding that the defence he provided at trial “would have been laughable if it wasn’t so serious”.

Taking into account that his crimes involved a “significant degree of planning” and that he “clearly attempted to delete the evidence with cleaning software”, Judge Taylor sentenced him to five years and six months imprisonment.

He added: “Prison will not be an easy time for you… I cannot accept you were remorseful.”

Griffin will be placed on the sex offenders’ register for life. He was also slapped with an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Under the order, he’s prohibited him from having unsupervised contact with males under the age of 18 and acquiring or use video monitoring equiptment in any premises.

Investigating officer DS Jen Jeffcoat-Marsh said: “I would like to pay tribute to the bravery of the victims in taking the hugely difficult step of reporting these crimes to us and supporting our investigation into Griffin.

“We recognise how challenging it must have been for the survivors to help bring their abuser to justice.

“Whilst nothing can take away the emotional impact of the abuse that they suffered, I hope that seeing Griffin jailed today brings them some comfort.”

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A Swindon man secretly filmed a woman naked – leaving his victim fearful, a court heard.

50-year-old Mark Bowyer was ordered to register as a sex offender after he admitted committing an act of voyeurism, which left his victim depressed and anxious.

At Swindon Magistrates’ Court today (Monday), in a highly unusual move prosecutor Tom Power failed to outline the case in open court – meaning little is known about the exact nature of the offending.

Having ignored the principle of open justice, Wiltshire 999s made a successful application to the court to obtain documents pertaining to Bowyer’s crime, but they have not yet been provided.

During the hearing, the victim – bravely reading out her impact statement in court – said she has installed security lights around her property and fears what he might be capable of.

She told of how she often stays awake at night and is now medicated for depression and anxiety. She said the incident has had a “significant impact” on her emotional wellbeing.

“I don’t want him to do it to anyone else… I want him to know he can’t get away with this”, she said.

Barrister Rachael Stitt, defending, said that Bowyer offers his apologies to his victim and the court.

She said the the defendant may lose his job if he has to register as a sex offender and urged the bench not to follow the pre-sentence report to avoid that.

A series of character references were provided to the magistrates, including one from his son who described him as a “kind, caring and respectful man”.

A friend said Bowyer is an “inspiration” and told of how he – many years ago – saved a female from domestic violence by shielding her and taking her to hospital, saving her eyesight.

Accepting his “genuine remorse”, magistrates imposed an 18-month community order. He was told to complete 50 rehabilitation activity days and given a mental health treatment requirement.

The defendant, of High Street, Old Town, was also fined just over £1,900 and ordered to register has a sex offender for five years. He’ll also pay a court surcharge.

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A paedophile believed he was making arrangements to have sex with a seven-year-old girl in messages with her father but was speaking to an undercover officer. He told the "father" he had previously had sexual activity with an eight-year-old girl, and told him "I really hope it's not a fantasy mate, I'm really up for it".

Jamie Bartlett, 46, of Aberdare, spoke to the undercover officer over the course of two days in October 2021. The officer told the defendant, who used the name "LoveTeenCuties", he was a father of a seven-year-old girl named "Lolly".

A sentencing hearing at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Tuesday heard the "father" was offering the fictional Lolly as a sexual object and became involved in a conversation with Bartlett. When asked what he was looking for, the defendant said he was interested in prepubescent children. When told that Lolly was "seven-years-old", he responded "Mate, that's perfect to be honest, tell me more about her".

When asked what he was into, Bartlett said: "Sniffing, perving, a bit of touching". The "father" said he would make an arrangement for "a play date" with Lolly, to which the defendant responded "Oh yes, oh my God. What are the rules". The officer told him he would need to pay in cash, drive to his flat and would need to bring "a toy, condoms and lube".

The defendant was asked what he wanted to do, and he said: "Touching her bum and p****, kissing her." When asked if he had done anything like this before, he said: "Yeah but she was eight LOL". He added: "I really hope it's not a fantasy mate, I'm really up for it." Bartlett also asked: "Is she ok taking c*** in her p**** because I'm not small".

Prosecutor Paul Hewitt said a date was arranged to meet and the defendant asked if Lolly could wear her school uniform. But when the officer tried to contact Bartlett to arrange a meeting place, he stopped communication and didn't respond to messages.

Police attended the defendant's home on January 18, 2022, but he wasn't there. Officers spoke to his then partner and attended his work place where he was arrested. His mobile phone was seized, on which indecent images of children and extreme pornography was discovered.

During his police interview, he admitted he had a sexual interest in children, but claimed he had no intention of acting on this interest. He claimed he believed the conversation with the undercover officer was "a fantasy" and he had ended the conversation when he believed the other person was serious.

Bartlett, of Monk Street, was found guilty of attempting to arrange or facilitate sexual activity with a child, following a trial. He had already pleaded guilty to possession of indecent and extreme images. The court heard he was of previous good character.

In mitigation, defence barrister John Ryan described his client as a "lonely and inadequate person" who had "given in to fantasy". He said the defendant had been described as "kind and loving" by his family and provided help to his mother who had suffered strokes and seizures. Since his arrest, he has been engaging with Stop It Now which was said to have given him insight into the damage his offences cause.

Sentencing, Judge Lucy Crowther said: "You admitted this conversation took place and said it was all fantasy. You admitted you had an interest in children but had no intention of carrying it out. The jury rejected your explanation."

Bartlett was sentenced to a total of three years and three months imprisonment. He was made subject to sex offender notification requirements indefinitely. A hearing to determine the details of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order will be held at a later date.

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A man exposed his genitals to schoolgirls and women in the street and from his own home as they walked past. He also filmed women while they were undressing in a changing room and of schoolgirls' reactions as he showed them his penis.

Jordan Scaffe, 28, formerly of Llantrisant, exposed himself on a number of occasions to victims including underage girls. He was confronted by a girl's aunty on one occasion, as he exposed his genitals through his shorts.

A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Monday heard Scaffe first exposed himself to a woman from a window of his then home in Belvoir Court on April 3. The victim said the defendant was naked and his penis erect. She looked away in shock but when she looked back she could see him bending over and looking directly at her. He then placed his hands on his hips and turned sideways to show his genitals.

On May 1, two 14-year-old schoolgirls and another girl were walking along the street when they saw Scaffe leaning back and placing his genitals on the outside of his shorts. The girls walked away but the defendant followed them for 20 yards. One of the girls called her mother and her aunty who lived nearby came to confront the offender.

She approached Scaffe and took a photograph of him, before saying "Is there any reason why you're exposing yourself in public?" He responded: "I'm not in a public place." When asked why he had flashed her niece, he said: "I didn't know it was out."

The defendant was later identified and arrested by police, who also seized his mobile phone. On the phone were videos stored in a folder entitled "secret". One of the films showed Scaffe filming himself standing in front of the window with an erect penis. He then filmed two girls under the age of 16 as they walked past his house. Prosecutor Peter Donison said the defendant continued to masturbate in clear view of the girls.

Photographs were also found on the phone of three different women in a changing room, who were unknowingly photographed while they were in a state of undress, some wearing underwear and some naked.

Scaffe, now of Pump Square, Bristol, pleaded guilty to six counts of exposure and three counts of voyeurism. The court heard he was of previous good character.

In a victim personal statement, the aunty who confronted the defendant said: "I fear the defendant will travel to my area and seek revenge for me reporting the matter. I feel afraid to walk on that road and will take a more indirect route... I am frightened by any noises I hear and it has affected my daily life."

In mitigation, Adam Sharp said his client wished to apologise to the victims in the case and felt "ashamed and remorseful". He described the defendant as a "dedicated family man" who developed depression after the death of his father at a young age. The barrister said Scaffe and his partner were under pressure due to his children's ill health, and "sought sanctuary" in using porn and steroids. He said his client had maintained employment and a stable home life until his arrest.

Sentencing, Judge Paul Hobson said: "This represents a huge invasion of privacy of the women you targeted. They are entitled to feel safe in changing rooms and feel safe without their privacy being invaded by people like you... You exposed yourself to women and girls, and did this for your own sexual gratification. It was not a one off but persistent behaviour by you over a period of time."

Scaffe was sentenced to a total of 14 months imprisonment. He was also made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, sex offender notification requirements and a restraining order, all to run for 10 years. A deprivation order was made in respect of the seized phone.

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A teenage girl has been praised for bravely speaking out to put a “dangerous” child predator who groomed her behind bars.

Johnathon Marren, of Cecilia Road in Ramsgate, committed multiple online sex offences after contacting the youngster on social media. He first started talking to the teenager online in December 2020 before beginning a weeks-long grooming campaign. Marren, 26, spoke to the child sexually, sent explicit photos and even sent a list of “rules” to try to control the victim. 
 
In January 2021, the victim, who is from Warwickshire, approached the police with the support of her family. After telling police what had happened, detectives were able to build a case against Marren and arrested him. When he was interviewed, Marren remained silent and only surrendered passwords to his electronic devices when he was warned it was an offence not to do so.

The 26-year-old was subsequently charged with attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity, causing a child to view images of sexual activity, possessing indecent photographs and attempting to meet a girl following grooming. 

On Wednesday last week, Marren was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison in a hearing at Warwick Crown Court.

Det Con Emma Smith, of Warwickshire Police, said: “Marren is a dangerous predator who sought out a young girl in the hopes of completely controlling her.

“So appalling was his attitude, he believed he could even send a list of ‘rules’ that his victim must follow.

“He was quite happy to bombard a child with thousands of appalling messages but he had nothing to say for himself when my colleague and I brought him in for interview.

“All of us at Warwickshire Police are so proud of the girl for her courage. Thanks to her bravery, and the support of her family, we have been able to gather enough evidence to see the court take Marren off the streets.

“I hope this can serve as a message to other young people who might find themselves in this situation. We will listen and we will help.”

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A rapist who attacked a woman as her child slept in the next room has been handed a nine year sentence.

Matthew Nicholson, 36, ignored the woman's refusal to have sex when she repeatedly told him she did not want to. During the attack, the woman said she froze as Nicholson carried on after she told him to stop.

Sentencing, The Honorary Recorder of Preston, Judge Robert Altham, said Nicholson was a dangerous man and handed him an extended sentence of six years custody and three years on licence.

He said: "You knew her child was in the next room. Your victim knew she couldn't fight or cry out and you knew that. It is clear you exploited that situation to get what it was you wanted.

"You knew you had been raping her as you raped her and as she lay there with you next to her, crying. The next day she challenged you by message. In effect you admitted you had raped her by message and voice note, repeatedly apologising and telling her you should have listened to her when she said no.

"With that background it is surprising you ran a trial."

Judge Altham said: "You do pose a serious risk of causing harm to other (women) by the commission of further specified offences. That risk can only be managed by the oversight of your release by the Parole Board and an extended licence period.

"It is a most seriously aggravating feature that you did this knowing her child was only a wall's width away."

Nicholson has been ordered to sign on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely and been made the subject of a 12 year restraining order to protect his victim.

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A paedophile was caught with scores of videos featuring young girls who were unaware theyd been recorded in Aberdeen city centre, a court has heard.

Greig Dow, 41, admitted a series of charges concerning images and videos found on his devices when police raided his home in September 2019.

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A pervert repeatedly masturbated in front of a child and showed her pornography. His "perverse behaviour" has had a huge impact on the victim who described her "innocence being taken away".

David Vine, 47, of Bridgend, performed the sex act in front of the victim on a number of occasions, and even engaged in conversations with her as though nothing untoward was happening. He denied the offences, but was found guilty by a jury following a trial.

A sentencing hearing at Newport Crown Court on Monday heard the defendant, previously of Mill Meadow, North Cornelly, also showed pornography to the youngster. When he was questioned at trial as to why he had done this, Vine was unable to provide an explanation.

In total, he was found guilty of four counts of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child. One of the counts represented multiple occasions when this occurred, with the jury finding the defendant had masturbated in front of the victim on at least five other occasions to the other counts.

The victim entered the witness box to read out her victim personal statement. She said: "I spend every waking moment trying to understand why he did what he did to me and why I deserved it. It wasn't as if I asked for it. Did I do something to make him think I wanted to, did I look too innocent? But that was it, I was innocent and very young.... I don't understand why he took my innocence and made me grow up too quickly."

As a result of the offences, the victim said her anxiety levels have risen, her sleep has been affected and had to take sleeping tablets. She said she's had to move house as a result of the defendant, which caused her to lose touch with friends and family.

In mitigation, defence barrister Tabitha Walker said her client had been living in a van and hotels since the trial. She said he had "difficulty" in accepting the verdicts of the jury but had "expressed remorse for any hurt or upset he has caused". Ms Walker said the defendant, who worked as a driver, was lightly convicted and had no previous convictions for sexual offences, and put forward a suspended sentence as an option open to the court.

Sentencing, Recorder Dyfed Thomas said: "You ought to be ashamed of yourself Mr Vine... Your victim questioned herself as to whether she was to blame. It was not her fault, it was your fault and yours alone. You selfishly indulged your own perverse behaviour for your own sexual gratification."

Vine was sentenced to a total of 33 months imprisonment. He was also made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and sex offender notification requirements for 15 years, and made subject to a restraining order indefinitely.

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A convicted sex offender who thought that he was exchanging messages with a 12-year-old girl got a nasty shock when he discovered that she did not actually exist and was really an undercover police officer.

Matthew Quinton, 27, asked the decoy girl whether she had had sex and made comments about his private parts, Hull Crown Court heard. When police arrived at his home in Baker Street, Hull, he tried and failed to get rid of an incriminating phone.

Quinton had already served a five-year jail sentence for sexual offences against children, but had not learned his lesson and has now been given another taste of prison. He admitted attempting to communicate sexually with a child, breaching a sexual harm prevention order and failing to comply with sex offender notification requirements.

Austin Newman, prosecuting, said that the latest offences came to light when, during an unrelated investigation, police were given evidence of messages and emails sent by Quinton to a woman about a young girl. It was on a phone that was not registered with the police as part of his notification requirements.

Information was also passed to the police that Quinton had been communicating with a fake decoy 12-year-old girl, who was really an undercover police officer. Messages had been exchanged.

"They were clearly sexual in nature," said Mr Newman. Quinton asked the fake girl: "You had sex yet?" and he made comments about his private parts. He asked about her underwear and suggested sending pictures to her.

"She had repeatedly stated that she was 12 years of age," said Mr Newman. Quinton used a number of identities and profiles that had not been notified to the police as part of his order.

The police went to his Baker Street home and arrested him. He asked to use the toilet and, while he was there, tried to get rid of his mobile phone.

Police searched the bathroom and found the phone, which had not been registered. He denied that it belonged to him and denied having a phone of any description.

'Not learning your lesson'

Quinton had been jailed for five years in April 2018 for sexual activity with a girl under 16, sexually assaulting a male, attempting to cause a boy to engage in sexual activity and attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child. He had been given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

He had convictions for 21 previous offences in total. He had been jailed for 18 weeks in March last year for breaching the sexual harm prevention order.

Benjamin Donnell, mitigating, said that Quinton had come to terms with the fact that he had a sexual interest in children, but he hoped to tackle his problems by doing a "healthy sex" programme while in prison. He intended to have age-appropriate relationships in the future. There was no actual victim in the latest offences.

Judge Mark Bury told Quinton: "Only a sentence of immediate custody can be justified. Breach of a sexual harm prevention order is a serious offence.

"You have a previous conviction for breaching the sexual harm prevention order. You are not, at the moment, learning your lesson. There was no harm, in fact, caused because there was no 12-year-old child."

Quinton was jailed for three years and was given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order. The phone that was seized will be forfeited.

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A 28-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison after he raped two women earlier this year.

Lewis Stewart, of no fixed abode, Torbay, was found guilty of three counts of rape at his trial and pleaded guilty to possession of drugs and breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Last week, he was sentenced to life at Exeter Crown Court, where Judge Climie told him he would serve a minimum of 18 years.

The court heard during the trial that Stewart had been on a night out in Torquay Town Centre on 21 January when he targeted two vulnerable women - he was captured on CCTV following and watching them.

He got in a taxi with them back to an address where he subjected them to rape, boasting about his actions to them the following day.

On arrest officers seized Stewart’s phone, where they found a photo of one of the victims in a vulnerable state. He was also in possession of drugs with evidence of dealing found on the phone.

Following a nine-day trial a jury unanimously found him guilty of three counts of rape.

Investigating officer, DS Parsons said: “Stewart presents a real risk to the public and this is reflected in the sentence he has been given by the courts.

“His crimes have had a detrimental effect on his victims and their families, and I praise their bravery and courage to come forward and report what happened to them.

“To repeat the words of the sentencing judge, ‘Stewart is a highly sophisticated and manipulative offender which is evident in his controlling and coercive behaviour towards the opposite sex’.

“I hope the outcome will help the victims find an element of closure and that it sends a clear message that offences of this type will be investigated, and offenders bought to justice.”

Superintendent Nicky Seager said: “As the Force Lead for Rape and Sexual Offences I am incredibly proud of this latest sentencing result clearly demonstrating that Devon and Cornwall Police are committed to protecting our communities and providing victims with a quality service and support.

“This very serious case is an example of a suspect focused investigation where Lewis Stewart’s actions were subject to scrutiny and not the victims who stood trial. The success demonstrates an effective prosecution team ethos by police colleagues working closely with CPS South West dedicated Lawyers.

“I want to reassure any victims of this horrendous crime type that we are working jointly to transform and improve the way we respond to and investigate rape.

“This investigation is evident that relatively swift justice can be achieved and will shape the criminal justice landscape for more victims of these heinous crimes."

Mark Major of the CPS said: “I welcome the conviction of Lewis Stewart who committed appalling offences against vulnerable females.

“I would like to commend and thank the victims for their strength in coming forward to support this prosecution and in telling what happened them."

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A PENSIONER is now banned from travelling alone on buses at certain times of the day after inappropriately touching a girl.

Malcolm Leather was the subject of a police CCTV appeal for information earlier this year following the disturbing incident.

The 69-year-old was identified and brought to justice after being sentenced at Warrington Magistrates’ Court.

Prosecutor Yvonne Dobson informed the court how the defendant was charged with assault of a girl under 13 by touching.

At sometime between 3pm and 3.30pm on Friday, February 17, a 12-year-old girl was travelling on the number three bus between Warrington Bus Station and the Manchester Road bus stop next to Beresford Street.

During the journey, an unknown man inappropriately touched her leg with his hand.

As stated in the charge to which he indicated a guilty plea, Leather intentionally touched the girl, with the touching being sexual.

Cheshire Police officers investigating the incident subsequently issued CCTV images of a suspect they wanted to speak to.

They said at the time that the incident was believed to be isolated and that they had been conducting a number of enquiries to trace the person responsible.

PC John Riley said: “I want to be clear that we are doing all we can to locate the person responsible and do believe this to be an isolated incident.

“We have a number of enquiries ongoing and as part of these we are now appealing for assistance to identify the man in the CCTV as we believe he may have vital information to assist us with our investigation.

“I would also appeal to the man himself to please come forward.”

After pleading guilty, Leather, of Samuel Street in Sankey Bridges, was sentenced by deputy district judge Angharad Davies to an 18-month community order.

This includes 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days, while he must also pay a fine of £120, costs to the Crown Prosecution Service of £120 and a surcharge to fund victim services of £114.

In addition, he must sign the sex offender register for the next five years and abide by a sexual harm prevention order for the same period.

One prohibition in the latter bans him from travelling alone on public transport, namely buses and trains, between the hours of 7.30am and 9.30am, and from 2.30pm to 4.30pm.

The order states that travelling within these times, Leather must be accompanied at all times by a support worker or other adult expressly approved by social services.

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A sex offender has been jailed after he joined a notorious Exmouth paedophile in a plan to abuse a 14-year-old boy.

Benjamin Holt joined in group chats online with former theatre manager Gareth Weeks and the boy in which they discussed their perverted sexual fantasies.

Holt asked the boy to commit sexual acts on himself and was in the process of setting up a meeting at which they were to have sex but the intended victim realised that he was in danger and backed out.

Police found the messages after arresting 55-year-old Weeks in Exmouth for having sex with another 14-year-old who he met on the gay dating site Grindr. He was jailed for 15 years in 2020.

Holt had also downloaded a video of a boy aged about nine having sex with a dog. Police found it on his phone alongside another clip of bestiality involving an adult woman.

He was already a registered sex offender, having previously been jailed for downloading images of boys when he was still in his teens. His most recent conviction was for a similar offence in 2012.

Holt, aged 37, of Old Market Close, Exeter, admitted inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, making, by downloading, an indecent image of a child, and possession of extreme pornography.

He was jailed for three years and four months with a two year, eight month extended licence and put on the sex offenders’ register for life. He was also banned from contact with children for 15 by a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

The judge told him: “This was not a fantasy, you meant this thing to happen. It was only the boy’s withdrawal from the group chat that thwarted your intention. You have a very strong sexual interest in young boys.

“You have spoken very openly in the probation report about your strong desire to meet and to try to abuse young children.”

Miss Emily Pitts, prosecuting, said Holt was identified as a result of a police inquiry into more serious offences of abuse that uncovered his group chats, in which he discussed having different sorts of sex with the boy. The images were found when his devices were seized by police.

Miss Rachel Smith, defending, said Holt recognises he has a problem and wants help to address it. She said that these offences arose out of meeting Gareth Weeks and said his influence was ‘catastrophic.

In the earlier case, Weeks, of Bassetts Gardens, Exmouth, admitted two counts of sexual activity with a child, meeting a child following grooming, inciting a child to sexual activity, arranging or facilitating a child sex offence, breach of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, and making, taking and distributing indecent images of children.

He was jailed for 15 years with a six year extended licence and certified as a dangerous offender by Judge Timothy Rose.

He had been a stage manager who worked with major showbiz stars at theatres all over Britain and boasted to friends about having known celebrities including Little Britain’s Matt Lucas and David Walliams.

He was jailed for child sex offences in 1993 and 2012 but was still able to join an amateur theatre in Devon as a volunteer. He was still helping to organise shows until his arrest.