Latest Offenders

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A woman has shared the lifechanging impact of sexual abuse to encourage other victims to come forward.

The woman, who is not being named to protect her anonymity, was sexually assaulted by John Dowson, who is 82 and from the Whitby area.

Dowson was sentenced at York Crown Court this week for two indecent assaults and a sexual assault against multiple victims between the 1990s and last year.

She addressed Dowson directly in a statement prepared for the court, telling him: “My life was changed forever by your actions — not just mine, but the lives of so many others who were affected in the ripple effect of your choices.

“What you did caused me irreversible pain and fear. The kind of fear that creeps into everyday moments. That lingers within spaces where I used to feel safe.

“The damage you've done doesn't just fade with time, it follows me and I believe it always will.”

She said that the abuse has made it harder to trust people, adding: “I second guess my own instincts. You took a part of my happiness, security and tranquillity that day.

“I hate to give that power to another human being, but I'd hate even more to see you get away with it.”

Dowson was given a suspended 14 months custodial suspended for two years and ordered to do 250 hours of community service.

He was also given a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which imposes additional restrictions to stop him reoffending and will be closely managed by specialist police officers.

In addition, he was given a 10-year restraining order and has been added to the sex offenders’ register.

The woman welcomed the outcome, saying she is reassured that Dowson will be closely managed to prevent him reoffending.

She also thanked North Yorkshire Police for the support she had received during the investigation and urged anyone who’s experienced sexual abuse to have the confidence to come forward and report it.

The detective who led the investigation, Detective Sergeant Arthur Ames of Scarborough and Ryedale CID, said:

“I’d like to thank the victims in this case for having the courage to come forward.

“I also hope this will encourage others to come forward knowing that the police will investigate any allegations thoroughly, no matter when they happened.

“All of the victims have chosen to have their voices heard and have exposed Dowson’s offending over decades.

“Their courage has led to today’s conviction that will not only mean that they have been heard but that Dowson will be on the sex offenders’ register so police and partners can apply appropriate safeguarding measures and prevent any further offending by him. Dowson has pleaded guilty but has shown no remorse for his actions or the impact they have had on the victims and their families.”

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Webster, 42, who is originally from the Grimsby area of Humberside, was jailed for 10 years and placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for life in 2015 following two sexual offences.

He is now wanted in connection with a report that he has failed to comply with the notification requirements for the Sex Offenders' Register.

Webster has links to the whole of the South Yorkshire area, Humberside and Lincolnshire. He is aware he is wanted and is believed to be actively evading officers.

Extensive efforts have been made to trace him, and officers now want to hear from anyone who has seen or spoken to Webster recently or knows where he may be staying.

He is described as a white man of medium/stocky build, 6ft tall with very short brown hair and brown eyes. He is known to often wear sunglasses.

If you see Webster, please do not approach him and instead call 999. If you have any information on where he might be, you can provide information via 101 or online quoting investigation number 14/126361/25.

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A RAPIST who was today jailed for a 'horrific attack' on a woman in her Greenock home has now been unmasked. 

Robert McGregor, 44, was caged for seven years at the High Court in Edinburgh. 

Following a request from the Tele, Police Scotland released a picture of McGregor and blasted his 'reprehensible actions'.

A judge told him today: "This was a horrific attack on a woman in her home in which your desire to humiliate and degrade is obvious."

Lord Young, who was provided with a victim impact statement, said: "The effect on her has been both traumatic and truly life altering."

The attack took place in the morning after a party and the woman described McGregor's whole demeanour changing before he launched the vicious assault.

Lord Young told McGregor: "You are a 44-year-old with a history of regular, often very well paid, employment."

The judge said he accepted that there was no pre-planning involved in the offence and noted that the rapist was assessed as posing a medium risk of re-offending.

Offshore scaffolder McGregor had earlier denied raping the woman but was convicted of the offence following a trial.

During the attack on August 22, 2020, he dragged the woman into the living room of her flat and pushed and grabbed her before raping her.

He threw her onto a couch and continued with the rape attack ignoring her when she repeatedly told him to stop. 

Defence counsel Edith Forrest said at the time of the rape attack he was drinking and occasionally using cocaine.

Following the sentencing, Detective Inspector David Tomlinson said: “McGregor’s reprehensible actions have caused lasting harm, and he will now face the consequences.

“We encourage anyone who has experienced any form of sexual or violent offence, regardless of when it happened, to report it.

"We will investigate all reports thoroughly and have specially trained officers and partner agencies who will support you throughout.”

Advocate depute Margaret Barron moved the court to grant a non harassment order and Lord Young made such an order prohibiting McGregor from contacting or attempting to contact the victim.

McGregor, formerly of Brown Street, was placed on the sex offenders' register indefinitely.

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A man has been jailed for 28 months for controlling or coercive behaviour and violence against a woman in Macclesfield.

Craig Vernon, 51, from Marlborough Court, Macclesfield, appeared at Chester Crown Court on 1 August to be sentenced after pleading guilty to two counts of engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour, assault, intentional strangulation, and sexual assault.

The victim described how Vernon was regularly violent and verbally abusive towards her, and on one occasion he even dragged her around the garden, causing her to bang her head and become unconscious.

She also told officers that he strangled her on multiple occasions.

Insp Matt Chapman from the Eastern Area Investigation Team, said:

“I’d like to pay tribute to the victim who took a stand, bravely coming forward and reporting Vernon to police. She may not think it at the moment, but she has shown immense strength and should be proud of herself for that.

 “It shouldn’t have to happen to anyone but when it sadly does, I hope people realise that if they call police or report abuse online via our website, they will get the help and support they need.

“I really hope the fact he is now behind bars gives her the confidence to rebuild her life.”

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A woman has urged victims of sexual assault to come forward and get support after seeing her brother jailed for raping her 20 years ago.

Andrew McQueen, aged 30 and of Thomas Street, Cirencester, had previously admitted nine non-recent sexual offences against his sister, Charlotte, at a hearing earlier in the year.

He was sentenced at Gloucester Crown Court following an investigation by Gloucestershire Constabulary's Criminal Investigation Department.

Charlotte McQueen, who has waived her right to anonymity, is now encouraging other victims and survivors of sexual abuse to come forward.

Speaking after the sentencing, 28-year-old Charlotte said: "As a victim, I never chose for this to happen or chose for him to do what he did.

"It makes you feel full of shame and guilt, but that is not yours to carry.

"I allowed him to have control over my life until now – that was 19 years of my life."

McQueen was aged between 11 and 15 at the time he committed the sexual abuse.

The court heard that Charlotte had come forward to police in February 2025 after her brother had texted her to ask for her forgiveness for his actions as a child.

As the conversation escalated, he then began to send threatening messages aimed at her and her children.

Charlotte then disclosed to police at that time that her brother had raped her multiple times between the ages of nine and 13.

Officers arrested Andrew and he eventually admitted sending the texts and raping his younger sister when they were children.

He told police he had been drunk at the time the texts were sent and that he had issues with his own mental health.

Charlotte told the court:

"Andrew, my big brother, was supposed to protect me. Instead I spent four years of my childhood living in fear of sexual and physical violence from him.

"Andrew took my innocence, my mental health and my happiness. Because of his actions, I spent ten years battling with my mental health.

"He has stolen my childhood. I struggle to remember the happy times because they are tainted by the misery and the pain that he caused me. I look at happy family photos and I feel the fear and the pain that he caused me.

"He made me feel like this was all my fault and I believed it. That's why I didn't speak out at the time and why I turned to self-harm. He punished me every time I succeeded and every time he struggled or got into trouble. 

"I know that the sexual abuse happened years ago. I tried hard to 'forgive and forget' but his behaviour has prevented that from happening. He has used it as a badge of honour, constantly reminding me. I tried to hide it and never went into any details about what he did, until I spoke to police.

"His threats against my family made me realise that I could not allow him to use this against me anymore and I could not allow him to threaten or intimidate my children."

On 13 June Andrew McQueen was sentenced to five years in prison, and must serve at least two years and eight months before being eligible for release.

Speaking after the sentencing, investigating officer Detective Constable Sarah Riordan said:

"This has been a difficult case and I want to commend Charlotte for coming forward and bravely confronting her brother for the sexual abuse he committed against her so many years ago.

"The pain and mental anguish he subjected Charlotte to has remained with her throughout her life, but her determination to see justice now be done is a credit to her strength and courage.

"I hope that Charlotte can now find peace and closure on the terrible ordeal she experienced as a child.

"It is never too late to report a rape or sexual assault. You will always be believed and we will do everything we can to investigate and bring any perpetrators to justice."

Charlotte echoed how coming forward is allowing her to begin to rebuild her life and credits the “amazing” support of her family, police officers and the judge.

She said:

“Andrew was adamant that nobody would believe me; that I would get my younger brother and sisters taken away from me.

"But I want anyone going through this to know that you will be believed and that it will be okay.

"Nobody questioned whether I was telling the truth or not. It will be hard and, mentally, it will be challenging, but the support that you will receive makes it manageable.

"Now I can get back to living my life; I can access support without this big secret hanging over me."

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A high-risk child sex offender was back in court after breaching the terms of a court order designed to address their deviant behaviour.

Zoe Spooks Hardy, who was arrested and charged under the name Luke Hardy, used a number of aliases for online accounts including dating and gaming apps.

The 24-year-old was made subject of a sexual harm prevention order in October 2022 for a five-year period after being sentenced for three counts of making indecent images of children, including eight of the most serious kind.

Saba Shan, prosecuting, said the defendant was arrested after police were tipped-off about their online activity and officers seized a mobile phone.

She said: “The officers identified that the defendant had been using three different alias names on a dating site, including the alias name ZHSpooks2k.

“Secondly, there was an email account registered under a female name. Finally, on the Clash of Clans online game, the defendant was using the alias name of ZoeH1337.”

Ms Shan said the defendant admitted using all three aliases when interviewed by police.

The court heard how the defendant has three previous offences for making indecent images of children and additional breaches of the SHPO.

Hardy breached that order in 2023 by deleting the internet history on their phone, including erasing dating apps from the handset.

Later in the same year, they were given a suspended sentence for a further breach of the SHPO after they downloaded Grindr, Kik, Growlr and Tinder.

Hardy, of Yarm Lane, Stockton, pleaded guilty to three breaches of their SHPO following their arrest last month in Bishop Auckland.

Judge Richard Clews jailed Hardy for eight months for breaching the SHPOs and an extra month when he activated part of previous suspended sentences.

He told the defendant: “It is appropriate to describe the breaches of the Sexual Harm Prevention Order as persistent and deliberate.”

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Detectives are encouraging victims of controlling and coercive behaviour to come forward after a man who admitted such crimes was jailed today (Tuesday 5 August).

After first meeting his victim, Dean Final began to control her life over several months.

His actions were brought to the attention of police early last year when his victim told a family member what happened and a report was made.

She told officers from Signal - our specialist rape and serious sexual violence investigation team - that Final had also raped her twice just days prior to the report being made and that he had also suffocated her.

In interview, detectives were told how 31-year-old Final had tried to prevent her from leaving the house by keeping her keys and bank card from her. He also repeatedly asked her to verify her location and send photos of where she was as he would accuse her of being with other men.

His actions meant she became alienated from her family and friends and Final even used her social media accounts to message one of her family members.

Final, now of HMP Leicester, pleaded guilty to two counts of rape and one count of controlling or coercive behaviour, which included suffocation, when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on 9 June.

Today he was sentenced to a total of 11 years and eight months’ imprisonment. He was also made subject to an 18-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and an indefinite restraining order.

The sentence also includes assault, controlling and coercive behaviour, non-fatal strangulation and criminal damage offences committed in Lancashire. These cases were not part of the Leicestershire Police investigation.

Detective Constable Caitlin Duggan, from Signal, said: “From very early on in this investigation it was apparent that Final wanted to completely control every aspect of the victim’s life.

“She said he’d told her that if he couldn’t have her, no-one could. It’s difficult to comprehend just what must’ve been going through her mind.

“Throughout our enquiries she showed immense bravery in providing information that allowed us to build a case which left him no alternative but to admit what he’d done. Thankfully, this meant she didn’t have to re-live her ordeal in front of a jury.

“I hope today’s outcome provides her with a degree of closure and allows her to move on with her life.

“The force takes reports of sexual offences, controlling and coercive behaviour and domestic abuse extremely seriously. I also hope this case encourages any other victims of such behaviour to speak out and make a report to police.”

Charlotte Caulton-Scott from the Crown Prosecution Service said:

“Dean Final has been exposed for what he really is – a violent, manipulative and controlling individual. He is where he belongs now, where he cannot do any more harm to women.

“There was absolutely no merit in claiming he had not been in control because of sexsomnia. Prosecutors recognised immediately that this was just an attempt to shirk responsibility for his violent conduct. We will continue to challenge the myth of sexsomnia because in the vast majority of cases, it is simply not justified.

“The use of physical and sexual violence in a relationship is abhorrent. I am so glad that his victims were able to escape the hold he had on them and receive the protection from the law they deserve.”

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A sexual predator who left a disabled victim terrified after a late-night assault has avoided jail despite a history of similar attacks.  

Sacha Mazouz, 47, approached the man outside Ramsgate railway station on June 8 after the victim missed his train.  

Drunk, Mazouz made explicit comments and touched the victim’s upper leg near his groin, causing him to flee to a phone box and call 999.  

Mazouz banged on the phone box, trying to reach him, until police arrived and arrested him.  

Magistrates in Margate heard Mazouz, from Folkestone, had prior sexual offense convictions, including a 2023 assault in a Canterbury public toilet that left a man fearing rape.  

Despite being called a “danger to the public,” Mazouz received a 24-week suspended sentence for two years instead of immediate custody.  

The victim said the assault left him trembling, depressed, anxious, and avoiding trains, now relying on taxis. He felt “violated” and struggled with intimacy.  

Prosecutor Lucie Fish said Mazouz made inappropriate sexual comments and touched the victim’s leg despite being told he wasn’t interested.  

Mazouz pleaded guilty to sexual assault and two counts of failing to comply with the sex offenders register.  

The court heard he had 17 prior convictions, including serious sexual offenses, robbery with an imitation firearm, and assaulting a teenage boy in 2013 after giving him alcohol and drugs.  

He also breached court orders in 2013 and 2019 and failed to declare a bank card and savings account, violating notification rules.  

Defence lawyer Stephen Evans said Mazouz admitted the offenses early and needed alcohol rehabilitation, claiming no substantial intervention had been provided since 2003.  

Magistrates noted the seriousness of his predatory behavior but gave him a suspended sentence, 20 rehabilitation sessions, a 26-session “Better Choices” program, six months of alcohol treatment, and a 7pm-6am curfew for six months.  

He also received a stricter 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and was ordered to pay £272 in costs and a victim surcharge.

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A 48-year-old man from Felixstowe has been jailed for 18 years after being convicted of rape and assault offences.

Andrew Grinham, of Waveney Road in Felixstowe, had been found guilty of two counts of rape and three counts of assault causing actual bodily harm (ABH) by a jury on 29 May 2025 after an eight-day trial.

He appeared at Ipswich Crown Court on Tuesday 22 July where he was sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment, with an extended licence period of five years, for the charges of rape. He was given a three-year concurrent sentence for causing ABH.

Grinham was also made subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and indefinite Restraining Order, and has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

The offences related to one victim, a woman, and took place over several years.

Detective Constable Jennifer Botting, the officer in charge of the case, said:

“Grinham carried out horrific abuse to his victim, causing long-lasting effects that have impacted her life and those around her.

“I want to commend her for the extraordinary courage she has shown in coming forward and seeing this case through to the end. We hope today’s outcome brings some measure of justice and reassurance – not only to the victim in this case, but to others who may be suffering in silence.

“I would also like to thank DC James Lait, who was the initial officer in charge of the case before I took on the investigation. His team progressed enquiries over a prolonged period to ensure we were able to reach the right outcome of the victim.

“Suffolk Constabulary remains committed to supporting survivors and bringing perpetrators to justice, no matter how long it takes.”

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A paedophile tradesman sought out horrific child abuse images after becoming "desensitised" to adult pornography.

Callum Robins was caught with indecent images of children between the ages of four and 10 who were in "distress".

The 34-year-old father-of-three was caught in possession of five category A images, seven category B, and four category C. Robins had been using the Telegram app and WhatsApp to view the abuse material.

On Monday, Robins, of Percy Terrace, Houghton-le-Spring, appeared at Durham Crown Court to be sentenced for three counts of making indecent images. He had pleaded guilty to the offences.

The court heard that on April 6, police went to Robins' address where he was arrested. His Huawei mobile phone was also seized and searched.

Annelise Haugstad, prosecuting, said: "The phone was seized and images were recovered from the device. They had been deposited there using Telegram, WhatsApp and thumbnails." The court heard that images had been saved to the phone's gallery, with some depicting children between the ages of four and 10 in "some distress".

In police interview, Robins claimed he had been in an adult porn group chat which involved 150 people from around the world and recalled seeing indecent images. However, he couldn't account for the images being found in his phone's gallery. Ms Haugstad said that he also claimed to be out of the area when the images were downloaded, which was "not correct".

The Telegram app had also been installed by Robins. Deliberate search terms had also been used by him and some images had been deleted.

Tabitha Buck, defending, said Robins was of previous good character and pleaded guilty on the day of trial. She said the offences were committed during an addiction to alcohol and cocaine.

She said: "He owned his own business and was working as a roofer and in cladding. He had a partner and three children and was the sole provider for the family. He resorted to drinking alcohol and taking cocaine. He was quite addicted to adult pornography and was becoming desensitised to that and was seeking more extreme sources."

Judge Robinson sentenced Robins to 10 months prison, suspended for 18 months, and ordered him to carry out 80 hours unpaid work. He must also complete 30 rehabilitation days. A five year sexual harm prevention order was imposed, and he will be on the sex offenders' register for 10 years.

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A 32-year-old man has been jailed for the rape of a schoolgirl.

Ursaloan Ansari, of Birch Road, Manchester, denied the offence but was found guilty by a jury at Mold Crown Court last month.

Ansari drugged the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, before raping her at a property in Rhos-on-Sea in January 2022.

He was sentenced at Mold Crown Court today (Monday, 4 August) to ten years in prison.

He was subject to sex offenders register notification requirements for life and handed a 10-year restraining order to protect the victim. He was also issued an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Gavin Jones said:

“This was an incredibly difficult case and I commend the bravery and strength of the victim throughout the investigation and trial process.

“Her willingness to speak out has ensured that justice has been served, and I hope today’s result provides some measure of closure for her and her family.

“I would also like to encourage any victim of sexual abuse to come forward. We will listen, we will support you, and we will do everything we can to bring offenders to justice.”

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A registered sex offender from Lancashire who tried to arrange to meet a child at a motorway service station has been sent back to prison.

Nicholas Stubley, 59, pleaded guilty to arranging the commission of child sex offences, possessing indecent and prohibited images of children, and breaching an order designed to curb his behaviour.

Stubley, of Abram Close, Lancaster, was previously jailed for four years back in 2017 for making indecent images of children, attempting to arrange the commission of child sex offences, distributing indecent images of children, and breaching a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

In September, Stubley was found to be engaging in online conversations with an undercover operative, whom he believed to be a father.

During these interactions, Stubley expressed a sexual interest in teens and his desire to meet and sexually abuse the operative's child.

He went on to arrange a meeting at a motorway services.

Stubley was arrested as his home address in October and was given an 11-year sentence last week - six years in custody and a five-year extended licence period.

He was made to sign the sex offenders' register indefinitely and given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

Detective Constable Becky Murrell, from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit, said:

"Stubley used a messaging platform to have private conversations where he expressed his desire to meet and abuse a child.

"This case highlights the ongoing threat posed by individuals like Stubley, who seek to exploit and harm children.

"We will continue to do everything in our power to protect children from predators and bring them to justice.

"Our commitment to safeguarding the most vulnerable members of our society remains unwavering.

"If you have experienced any form of sexual abuse, or know of a child being abused, please come forward and report this to police."

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Jose Martin Holden, aged 32, of George Street, appeared at Worcester Crown Court last week (Friday, August 1) for sentencing. 

Today (August 4), the force released a custody image of Holden for the first time.

He was found guilty of two counts of rape, assault by penetration and sexual assault following a trial at Worcester Crown Court from June 9 to June 13. 

He was found not guilty of attempting to assault by penetration. 

On sentencing, His Honour Judge Jackson deemed Holden a dangerous offender and dismissed mitigating circumstances from the defence regarding his learning difficulties. 

The Judge also told the court that the way Holden spoke about women during his arrest was "dehumanising". 

In court, the Judge said: "You have no insight into your behaviour...There is a significant risk of you causing further harm to other women."

Holden was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for count 1 (rape) with an extension of five years on licence. 

He was also sentenced to eight years for count 2 (assault by penetration), two years imprisonment for count 4 (sexual assault) and 10 years imprisonment for count 5 (rape). 

The above sentences will all run concurrently to the 20 years imprisonment for count 1. 

The court heard that Holden will have to serve at least two-thirds of his sentence before he is eligible to appear before the parole board. 

He was also handed an indefinite restraining order and cannot directly or indirectly contact the victims. 

One of Holden's victims told the court in a victim impact statement how delays in the case have made her feel as though she has “already served a four-year sentence”.

She told the court: “The consequences of his actions have rippled into every part of my life.

"You've destroyed parts of me, but you will not destroy the new life I am beginning."

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A man has avoided jail after he was caught with sexual abuse images of "very young children".

Lewis Chapman started downloading the vile material in 2019 when he was underage himself but continued into early adulthood.

A court heard that the 21-year-old's electronic devices were seized by police when intelligence indicated that the photos were being downloaded at his Ryton home. A total of 26 abuse pictures, including seven category A, which are the most serious kind and involve penetrative sexual activity, were later found on his mobile phone.

Chapman has now been given an 18-month community order after he pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children at Newcastle Magistrates' Court. District Judge Kate Meek told him: "The images did involve very young children, which aggravates the case.

"They did involve category A images, which are the most serious. In your case, you were 14 when this started and, for the vast majority of the time, you were under the age of 18.

"You're a vulnerable young person. I don't doubt that you became involved in these chatrooms and this world at a very early age when nobody at that age should be and you were taken advantage of. You had a disruptive childhood."

The court heard that Chapman started downloading the images in 2019 and his devices were seized by police in 2023. Paul Coulson, prosecuting, said: "On August 3, police attended the defendant's address after receiving intelligence that someone inside the address had been downloading indecent images of children.

"The defendant's mobile phone was identified as being responsible and it was seized, along with other items, including a tablet and charger. They were analysed and forensically examined."

Steven Linsdell-Bell, defending, said Chapman, who has no past convictions, was a youth himself through the majority of the offending. He added: "He naively searched items that people were talking to him about. He didn't understand what those items were."

Chapman was also fined £250, must pay £250 costs and a £114 victim surcharge and must sign the sex offenders register for five years.

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A Paisley beast has been jailed for five years after being found guilty of “orchestrated and persistent” child sex abuse spanning over two decades.

Twisted David Cardona was last month found guilty by a jury, following a trial at Paisley Sheriff Court, of the abuse of three youngsters.

The jury found the 65-year-old unanimously guilty of using “lewd, indecent and libidinous practices and behaviour” towards a boy aged under 13 between October 21, 1994 and October 23, 1994.

Creepy Cardona got into the boy’s bed while he was sleeping, laid next to him, attempted to pull his trousers down and, thereafter, performed a sex act on him.

Cardona, of Westburn Avenue in the town, was also found guilty of sexually assaulting a girl under the age of 16 on “various occasions” between July 11, 2013 and August 20, 2018 by touching her private parts through her clothing.

The court heard evidence Cardona would carry out these sexual assaults when the girl was sleeping or falling asleep.

A witness told the jury: “It was at night, he would lift her but place his hands at her pants.”

The witness told the court how this had impacted the girl and added: “When she told me, she was in pieces, she was crying; crying as if she was having a panic attack.

“After it happened, she distanced herself from him.

“It changed her, she stayed in her room after it happened, her hair would fall out, she started cutting her wrists.”

Cardona was also found guilty of sexually assaulting another girl while she was under the age of 13.

Between August 2019 and August 2021, the paedophile on “various occasions” assaulted this youngster by placing his hand inside her trousers and sexually assaulting her.

Yesterday, Sheriff Gillian Craig slammed Cardona stating: “You are a predator of the most dangerous and devious sort.

“These offences are in a league of very serious crime.

“Your victims have already lived with the trauma and may live with the trauma for the rest of their lives.

“I’ve read the victim impact statements and what is clear is the impact is devastating, you robbed these children of their childhood.”

Defence agent, Paul Keenan KC told the court there was “little he could say in mitigation”.

He added: “Mr Cardona maintains he is innocent, he understands the jury’s verdict and rejects that position.

“He is under no illusion of the severity and fully accepts the offences he’s convicted of are exceptionally serious and there will ne no choice but to impose a custodial sentence.”

Sentencing, Sheriff Craig added:

“I commend all of the victims for their bravery in coming to police.

“The ripples of what you’ve done will be felt through their families and loved ones.

“A custodial sentence is the only appropriate disposal.”

Cardona was jailed for five years and, upon his release, he will be subject to licence for three years with conditions fixed by Scottish ministers.

In addition, he was made subject to a non-harassment order for each of the three victims for 20 years and made subject to a sexual harm prevention order also for twenty years.