August 2013

Sick Newport paedophile gets shorter sentence for abusing two girls

A CANCER stricken paedophile who assaulted girls under ten years old was jailed for just two years owing to his ill health.

Terrance John Major, 81, faced a prison term of between four and eight years for the crimes he committed in the Nineties, Cardiff Crown Court heard.

The first girl he assaulted made an attempt on her life, Crown prosecutor Suzanne Thomas told the court.

And Major continued to deny having abused one victim even after he was found guilty of three sex assaults against her, Judge Philip Richards told the court.

Major, of Manchester Street, Newport, could be released from custody in a year’s time, the court heard yesterday [August 22].

One victim’s mother told the Argus: “He will serve a minimum of 12 months.

“I think it should have been a little more.

“The girls have to live with this for the rest of their lives. They have seen a psychologist, they’ve gone through therapy.

“But it doesn’t matter the length of the sentence. It’s the fact the justice system didn’t fail.”

Judge Richards gave him a two-year jail term after learning he suffered from prostate cancer, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and had mobility problems.

He said: “I can only begin to imagine the appalling impact his conduct had on his victims, particularly the younger one.

“I have taken into account his condition and pass a sentence which is at least for a public view relatively appropriate although much shorter than otherwise would be the case.”

Defence barrister, Hilary Roberts, said his client had been under “considerable stress and strain” at the time of the offences.

He said his wife had been terminally ill at that point and he had consumed alcohol.

Mr Roberts added that his client had been “hardworking” and a strong family man and indicated his health, age and the passage of time since the offences should be taken into consideration.

Major pleaded guilty to one count of indecent assault against one victim and was found guilty of three counts of indecent assault against the other on July 31.

Judge Richards gave him two-year jail sentences for each of the four offences, to run concurrently.

He also imposed a sexual offences’ prevention order that will stop Major from having unsupervised contact with children under the age of 16 for the rest of his life.

August 2013

Former Richmond priest spared jail over indecent images

A homosexual priest who looked at child abuse images sent to him via gay chat rooms has been spared jail.

Father Edmund Higgins, who appeared at Isleworth Crown Court on August 16, admitted possessing 174 indecent images of children on his laptop.

The court heard Higgins, who had practised as a priest since he was 18, had struggled to make his sexuality public and visited gay chat rooms, where he was sent mostly adult pornographic images.

It emerged that 39-year-old Higgins, who was a priest at St Elizabeth’s Church in Richmond, was sent indecent images of children which he looked at then deleted

Gavin Kirkpatrick, prosecuting, said Higgins knew what the files contained and they could not have come to his computer unsolicited.

He said: “He has looked at them. He didn’t search for them, but they came into his inbox.”

He also told the court Higgins was having online discussions about child abuse.

Higgins was given a sentence of eight months’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, in relation to eight counts of possessing indecent images of children.

He was also handed a supervision requirement and a sexual offences prevention order.

Brett Weaver, defending Higgins, said the former priest was deeply ashamed of his actions and thought the files had gone from his laptop, which has now been destroyed.

Mr Weaver said: “They were stored within a cache file within the hard drive which would only be accessible with an expert knowing where to look.

“Fr Higgins, having seen what they were, had deleted them and thought they were gone from his machine.”

He told the court Higgins had spent many years dedicated to his role as a parish priest and his homosexuality had created a dilemma for him, given the views of the church, and the gay websites “provided an output for the stress”.

He said: “He naively thought his secret would be safe and he would cause no one any harm.”

The folder on Higgins’ laptop contained 31 indecent images of children at level one, 11 at level two, 56 at level three and 77 at level four.

He did not have any images at level five – the most extreme pornographic image.

Mr Weaver said: “He has lost his job, his home, his career and his good character. The rest of his life will be completely changed by this conviction.

“He knows only too well he has brought shame on the church that he has served so well for so many years.”

Judge Anne Molyneux, who passed the sentence, said: “You have struggled to come to terms with your own sexuality.

“This may, in part, explain your offending. It cannot excuse it. All of the children in those images are vulnerable human beings.

“Each of those children were violated when the image was taken and violated again when the image was viewed.”

UPDATE: A wanted paedophile has been arrested after Sussex police issued an appeal to Brighton and Eastbourne parents yesterday. 

Brian Rogers, 54, is wanted for failing to answer bail to be charged with possessing indecent images of children. Sussex Police said this morning they understand he has been arrested in London as a result of yesterday’s appeal. 

August 2013

Police warn Brighton and Eastbourne families not to befriend paedophile on the run

Sussex Police are calling on parents and other police forces to be on the lookout for a wanted man.

Detectives are seeking Brian Rogers who is wanted for failing to answer bail to be charged with possessing indecent images of children.

Detective Inspector Lee Horner said:” Extensive enquiries have been made to find this man and active enquiries are still continuing, but so far these have failed to reveal his current location.

“Although there is no immediate threat to the wider public, we believe Rogers may try to befriend families of young girls and boys, and we are concerned that he may manipulate relationships for his own advantage.”

The 54-year old is described as white, 5’11″, of heavy build, with short brown but greying hair and was last seen with a long beard.

DI Horner added: “He speaks with a muffled southern accent. He dresses very casually and his appearance may indicate that he is sleeping rough.”

His details have been circulated to every police force in the UK and beyond, through Interpol, as matter of standard procedure.

Anyone who sees Rogers or knows of his whereabouts is asked to call us on 101 quoting Serial 0456 of 22/8.

August 2013

Thanet youth sports worker Phil Pittock admits indecent child image charges

A YOUTH sports worker has pleaded guilty to possessing 1,300 indecent images of children.

Phil Pittock, of Brandon Way, Birchington, admitted seven charges of having and making indecent photos and film of youngsters when he appeared at Canterbury Crown Court today.

Pittock, who took the role of Thanet Schools Games organiser based at Ursuline College in 2011 and has served as a governor at Birchington Primary school, collected and made indecent photographs of a child between October 2010 and January 2013.

He admitted:

On January 15, 2013, having in his possession 19 indecent photos of children at level one – described under the law as “erotic posing with no sexual activity”.

On the same date possessing two indecent photos of children at level four – described by law as “sexual activity involving a child or children, or both children and adults”.

On the same date possessing 1,266 indecent photos of children at level one, level two – described in law as “sexual activity between children” – and level three, described as “sexual activity between adults and children”.

On the same date possessing eight movie clips with indecent images of children at levels one and two.

Also on January 15, 2013, possessing one movie clip of indecent images of children at level four.

On the same date possessing eight indecent photographs of children at level four.

And, between October 1, 2010 and January 15, 2013, making an indecent photo of children at level three.

Previous cases brought under the Criminal Justice Act deemed that “making” offences include the download and printing of images.

Mr Pittock, 50, who has been the chairman of Thanet Athletics Club since 2010, will be sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court on September 23.

August 2013

Man swapped cigarettes for sex acts from pre-teen girls on mother’s doorstep

A MAN has been jailed for accepting sexual favours from two young girls in exchange for cigarettes.

Keith Waites was contacted by one of the girls via a text, Durham Crown Court heard.

“It seems the message was received at about 9pm,” said Sean Dryden, prosecuting.

“He went round to the house of one of the girls a few hours later.

“The sexual activity took place on the doorstep and appears to have ceased after the girl’s mother shouted from inside to ask what was going on.

“Police became involved some time later when another girl, who had heard about what happened, told her mother.”

Waites, of Fairclough Court, Peterlee, admitted two charges of inciting a girl under 13 to commit sexual activity.

The court heard the offences put the 20-year-old in breach of a previous suspended sentence imposed for unrelated matters.

Lorraine Mustard, defending, said in mitigation: “It is clear one of the girls contacted him, not the other way around, so there is no element of grooming.

“He should not have responded in the way he did, but there was, to put it neutrally, mutual compliance.

“Mr Waites has learning difficulties, but he does understand his behaviour was unacceptable and says it will not happen again.”

The Recorder, Mr Neil Davey QC, jailed Waites for 14 months.

“You may have learning difficulties,” he told Waites.

“But I am satisfied you know the difference between right and wrong.

“You took advantage of two young girls.

“I am also satisfied you present a danger to other young girls which is why I have made the appropriate orders.”

Waites was banned from working with children, and banned from having any unsupervised contact with any girl under 16.

He must register as a sex offender for 10 years.

August 2013

Skye farmer convicted of sex offences against children

A 69-year-old man has been convicted of a series of historic sex offences against boys under the age of 16.

Neil Campbell committed the offences at his farm on Skye and at other locations between 1995 and 2011.

The farmer had pleaded not guilty, but a jury at Inverness Sheriff Court found him guilty unanimously on five charges and by a majority on another two.

Sheriff Jamie Gilchrist deferred sentence until 26 September for background reports.

The court heard that the offences took place at different occasions between 21 March 1995 and 19 January 2011 at his farm at Talisker, near Carbost, and at other locations.

A joint minute of agreement was lodged by defence advocate Bill Adam and prosecutor Stewart MacIver.

It included details of an injury Mr Campbell had suffered which affected parts of his brain.

The injury involved parts of his brain controlling thinking skills, personality and inhibitions, according to the document.

After the verdict, the jury was told that Campbell had previously been placed on the sex offenders register for an attack on a female doctor in May 2007.

Sheriff Gilchrist continued Campbell’s bail, but placed him once more on the sex offenders register.

August 2013

Retired Chester-le-Street careers officer admits abusing boys

A RETIRED careers officer is facing jail for abusing children who went to him for advice.

Brian Oliver was a trusted employee working in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, in the 1970s.

It has now emerged he led a secret life as a paedophile preying on boys who sought his help.

The 77-year-old  (Tuesday, August 27) admitted four charges of indecent assault at Teesside Crown Court.

He will be sentenced next month following psychiatric and background reports.

Judge Tony Briggs granted him bail and told him: “All sentencing options will remain open.”

It was revealed during the brief hearing that Oliver is already a registered sex offender.

In 2008, he abused a 15-year-old boy after enticing him into his car in the west end of Newcastle.

Oliver, of Kells Lane, Gateshead, was given a three-year community order on that occasion.

He pulled up at the roadside and asked the teenager for directions. The boy got in his car and Oliver put a street map on the lad’s lap and indecently touched him.

Each time, he asked the teenagers to hold the base of his phone while he held the receiver as he made calls to get them jobs.

Prosecution papers say he either pressed his crotch against the hand of the boy or exposed himself.

Oliver was due to go on trial today on five charges of indecent assault, but admitted four before a jury was sworn.

Prosecutor Paul Newcombe asked for the remaining count to be left to lie on file.

Judge Briggs adjourned the case until mid-September, and told the defendant: “The grant of bail is no indication of what sentence eventually will be imposed upon you.”

Defence barrister, Rachel Hedworth, said: “My client does have convictions, but in the main he is lightly convicted.”

During his court appearance in 2008, Oliver was also given a five-year Sexual Offences Prevention Order.

The order banned the pensioner from contacting children and being in any private vehicle with youngsters.

But just two years later, he tried to lure teenage boys into his executive Jaguar and personal-plated BMW.

He tricked a schoolboy into getting in to his dark blue Jag after asking for directions on Gateshead High Street, and later told another boy he was looking for a computer repair shop to get him inside the car.

August 2013

Facebook predator jailed for sexual grooming vulnerable 14-year-old girl

A Facebook predator has been jailed for grooming a vulnerable 14-year-old girl and persuading her to have sex with him on their first date.

Jake Cornish, aged 19, was caught after the victim’s mother found his sexually explicit messages on her daughter’s Facebook page and the schoolgirl told her what had happened.

Cornish arranged to meet the girl after contacting her on the internet and took her back to his home in Exeter after going air gun shooting in nearby woodland.

When he was caught he told detectives that he had read on the internet that the age of consent was 14.

August 2013

Babysitter sexually abused young boys

A paedophile babysitter who subjected two young brothers to a catalogue of “depraved” sex assaults when their parents were out has begun a 12-year prison sentence.

Thomas Curley, 73, of Cedar Road, Ribbleton pleaded guilty at Preston Crown Court to 14 counts of historic abuse dating back to the early nineties. Two of the charges were attempted rape, the other 12 were indecent assault.

The frail pensioner, who appeared in the dock on crutches, escaped a life term because his offences over a 12-year period – which also involved a third, unconnected, boy – were committed before sentencing rules were tightened up.

Two of the victims, now adults, were in court as Judge Pamela Badley told Curley: “The family trusted you and the way you repaid that trust was to perform acts that these days would be called rape.

“You don’t see yourself as a child sex offender. You don’t see yourself as presenting a potential risk to children. But your pattern of behaviour is such that young people have been at risk from you and will be in the future.”

Curley befriended the family and then set about abusing the eldest of the two boys on an almost daily basis when he was just six.

Most of the offences, said prosecuting barrister Jeremy Grout-Smith, happened when he was babysitting, or when he called to take the children to school. He also assaulted the boy on a fishing trip and when he accompanied him on his paper round.

When the victim reached 16 and threatened to kill Curley with a knife, he turned his attention to the boy’s younger brother, abusing him several times a week for between 18 months and two years.

“He was a trusted, close family friend,” said Mr Grout-Smith. “He won the family’s trust and gained free access to their home.”

The court heard Curley became more physical and aggressive and at times grabbed the eldest boy by the throat or tied his hands before abusing him.

The impact on the family, said Mr Grout-Smith, had been 
“devastating.” The abuse had a “catastrophic” effect on the eldest brother in particular. He felt Curley owned him and made him feel worthless and full of self-loathing. He turned to drink and drugs to cope with the abuse and eventually needed counselling.

The youngest brother felt he was “a piece of meat,” was stripped of his confidence and was disgusted with himself. He too turned to cannabis.

“The whole family has been tortured by Curley’s evil conduct towards the boys,” added Mr Grout-Smith. Defending Curley, who had previous child sex convictions dating back to 1955, Jane Dagnall told the court her client had himself been a victim of abuse as a child. “He is at risk of self-harm and has made suicide attempts in the past,” she said.

Judge Badley told him he was guilty of “depraved and disgusting behaviour towards children.”

The older brother, she said, “was only six when he had the misfortune to be put in close proximity to you. His family have gone through agonies of regret over this.

“I have considered whether a life sentence is available, but there are no complete rape offences here so I must move on from that.

“Despite you advanced age I am of the opinion that there is a significant risk to the public. This is a lengthy sentence and it is certainly one where your victims will be counting the days.”

In addition to his 12-year jail sentence Curley faces a six-year extended licence period when he is released.

August 2013

Burnley singer’s texts shame to underage girl

A ROCK singer from Burnley asked an underage girl to perform a naked massage on him, a court was told.

Nick Waite, lead singer of a Burnley-based band has been ordered to sign the sex offender’s register. He became embroiled in an online relationship with the school girl, swapping text messages and Facebook chat over a six-week period, the town’s crown court was told.

But among more than 800 messages swapped between the pair was an invitation from Waite, then aged 20, to perform a naked massage on him, the court heard.

Waite, now 21, of Mary Towneley Fold, Burnley, was originally charged with arranging or facilitating a sexual offence involving a girl aged under 13 and three offences of grooming.

The charges were later replaced with four offences of causing or inciting a child aged under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

He admitted one charge, in relation to the naked massage, but denied the other three, involving other sexual acts.

Prosecutor Martin Hackett said that the plea was acceptable to the Crown.

He told the court: “The Crown has the view that, the defendant being 20 and the complainant being 12, there was clearly inappropriate text or Facebook messages and this needs to be marked with some kind of criminal offence.”

Judge Beverley Lunt said that even on his own account, the girl had told him she was 14.

“He is not a sexual predator and this is not a grooming case. It is a case where there was the opportunity and nothing actually happened to her whatsoever,” added Judge Lunt.

The judge said that she was aware, by his plea, that he had also prevented the girl having to come into court and explain her own behaviour.

Judge Lunt added: “She has to be protected from exposure because she has behaved like a a 12-year-old child, as she is entitled to do.”

Paul Lewis, defending, said 844 messages had passed between Waite and the girl over a six-week period and the ‘significant majority’ of them had no sexual connotations or innuendo.

The defendant, who was a man of previous good character, was only 19 when the matters first came to light, added Mr Lewis.

Waite had run his own car valet business after leaving school with good GCSES but had now given up the enterprise to concentrate on his music career.

Mr Lewis said his client had been prescribed anti-depressants, during the course of the proceedings, but still had the support of his immediate family.

Judge Lunt released Waite on bail until tomorrow so he can be assessed by the probation service, ahead of sentence.

He was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register on an interim basis until he is finally sentenced.

August 2013

‘Shame on him’ – victim sees man jailed for sexual abuse

A businessman who forced an eight-year-old boy to have sex with him more than 30 years ago has been jailed for nine-and-a-half years.

Joga Singh (53) committed the offences in 1977, when he was aged 17.

He initially denied any wrongdoing but midway through a trial changed his pleas to admit two serious sex offences with the child.

The victim, now 44, had to relive his ordeal in the witness box and was accused of telling lies by the defence barrister before Singh accepted his wrongdoing.

His guilty pleas were entered after a tape-recorded conversation of him confessing to the victim was verified by experts as Singh’s voice.

Speaking after the sentencing at Leicester Crown Court yesterday, the victim said:

“It was never about the sentence, that’s up to the judge.

“All I wanted was the truth and a public admission of guilt.

“Justice has been done – it’s been a long wait.

“I no longer have to live a lie, pretending it never happened.

“Shame on him for not being man enough to accept responsibility earlier.

“If it wasn’t for my wife and big brother, who stood by me, I couldn’t have survived.”

Also speaking after the case, the victim’s older brother said: “Whatever the sentence, there are no winners.”

The victim said outside court that he had suffered “recurring nightmare flashbacks” for many years but had kept it a secret until he could no longer cope. He confided in his wife in 2010.

He then gained courage to confront Singh, after advice from a social worker, and recorded a discussion with Singh confessing.

Singh apologised and said the same abuse happened to him as a child in India, before he came to the UK.

Anwar Nashashibi, prosecuting, said the victim initially asked for a letter of apology and a £10,000 donation to the Children In Need charity.

When Singh refused, he went to the police.

Singh, of Simpson Close, Syston, accepted when the boy visited his former home in the Belgrave area, he had sex with him on “two or three occasions”, in June 1977.

The court heard he took the child upstairs to a box room, where the boy was abused and then threatened with a beating if he told anyone.

Mary Prior, mitigating, said Singh, a successful businessmen, had led a commendable and blameless life since.

She said Singh’s own childhood abuse was an explanation, not an excuse.

Mrs Prior said: “You’re sentencing a 53-year-old married father for something which occurred 35 years ago.

“He has glowing references from many, some of whom sit alongside the defendant’s family supporting Singh, knowing what he acknowledges, but feeling he’s worthy of their support.

“References speak of his kindness, generosity, help and tireless charity work.

“He’s a well-respected member of the community.”

Sentencing, Judge Michael Pert said: “What happened to him that summer troubled him for the next 30 or so years.

“You originally denied these offences and subjected your victim to a lengthy period of torment awaiting a trial.

“In the witness box he was cross-examined and called a liar, accused of extortion and accused of fabricating the tape recording.”

August 2013

Sutton man admits sexually abusing girl

A pensioner has been told to expect a prison sentence after he admitted sexually abusing a girl more than 30 years ago.

Andrew Armstrong, 69, of Walton Street, Sutton-in-Craven, pleaded guilty to 11 charges involving indecent assaults and indecency with a child when he appeared before a judge at Bradford Crown Court on Friday.

The offending covers a period between 1971 and 1981 and relates to the same complainant, who cannot be identified for legal reasons.

Armstrong pleaded not guilty to two similar charges, but Judge Jonathan Rose said he agreed with the prosecution view that it was not in the public interest to have a trial on those matters.

The judge heard that Armstrong was a carer for his elder brother and Judge Rose said arrangements should be made for his care in the future as the outcome of the case was almost inevitably custody.

The judge described the offending by Armstrong as appalling and outrageous and said he was confident the outcome would be custody, despite his age and the age of the offences.

Armstrong was told he now had to register with the police as a sex offender and he was granted bail until September 20.

August 2013

School caretaker spared jail for sending girl explicit photos

A former school caretaker who sent sexually explicit pictures of himself to a teenage girl he had befriended on a social network site has been given a 16-week prison sentence, suspended for two years.

Alan Hawkins, 64, of Consort Street, Skipton, who also received images of the teenage girl who was in foster care, was also sentenced to a two year community order with two years’ supervision.

He must attend the sex offenders treatment programme and must spend five years on a sex offenders prevention order which involves regular reporting to the police. He was also ordered to pay £85 court costs.

He returned to Skipton Magistrates’ Court for sentence after pleading guilty, last month, to intentionally causing a child aged 14 to look at an image of a person engaged in sexual activity between March 11 and March 29, 2012. He also admitted to possessing an indecent photograph of a child between March 29 and April 12, 2012.

At that appearance he was placed on the sex offenders register.

The bench heard he sent pictures of himself and also received images of the girl he had met through the Qeep mobile phone social networking application.

He believed she was 16 years old, when in fact she was two years younger.

She knew him as Alan and that he was a cleaner and they continued the relationship after she was moved to a foster home and despite telling him she was only in Year 10 at school.

He sent five text images of himself performing a sexual act on himself and she sent him two images of her naked breasts. Hawkins also sent the girl £35 for her to top up her mobile phone account.

However, after her foster carer saw an image on the mobile, she called in social services and Hawkins was traced and his laptop and mobile phone seized.

When interviewed, Hawkins said he chatted with other women on networking sites because his wife was not well and his home life was unsatisfactory.

John Mewies, for Hawkins, said was a “totally and utterly broken man” and, despite everything, his wife, who was disabled, was standing by him.

“This has had a traumatic effect on his life and he has suffered mental health problems and on two occasions attempted to take his own life, once by taking an overdose of tablets and the other time by throwing himself under a moving vehicle.”

The images were at the lowest level one in seriousness and there had never been any intention by Hawkins for the relationship to become physical.

Mr Mewies stressed that in his job as a caretaker at a local primary school he had not had contact with children and had now been dismissed.

August 2013

Whitefield man jailed for downloading thousands of indecent images of children

A Whitefield man who accessed over 8,500 images of child pornography and attempted to destroy the evidence has been jailed.

Adam Walton, aged 29, of Calder Crescent, was jailed for eight months at Bolton Crown Court today (Thursday) after admitting 28 offences including possessing indecent images of children, possessing extreme pornography and possessing prohibited images.

Walton downloaded and viewed the images on June 19, 23 and 30 2012 before his former partner alerted the police to his activities.

Police attended Walton’s home on August 1 2012 and seized a number of computers.

While officers were loading them into their car, Walton threw a laptop on the floor in an attempt to destroy it, so that the indecent images could not be retrieved.

He attempted to do this a second time but was stopped by officers, however the hard drive of the laptop was not damaged and officers were still able to recover the images.

Police found 8,573 indecent images of children, with over 1,500 of the images being classed as level four or level five under the Protection of Children Act 1978.

Level four images are classed as ‘penetrative sexual activity between children and adults’, and level five images are described as ‘sadism or bestiality’.

Walton was also ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for 10 years, and will be the subject of a 10 year sexual offences prevention order.

Detective Constable Ruth Spencer, said: “Walton had thousands of indecent images on his computer and went to extraordinary lengths to try and destroy it when he was first arrested.

“Despite his best efforts he was not successful and we were able to retrieve and forensically examine his hard drive.

“What we found was a catalogue of child abuse images that Walton had sourced from the internet.

“These images reflect a sordid and dark side of the internet that we and other enforcement agencies work tirelessly to police and when we receive information or intelligence that someone is involved in such depraved activity we will take decisive and robust action.”

August 2013

Burgess Hill man avoids jail for indecent assault 30 years ago

A sex offender who indecently assaulted a thirteen-year-old girl 30 years ago has avoided a jail sentence.

Graham Aldis, of St Peters Road in Burgess Hill, pleaded guilty to one count of indecent assault after appearing at Lewes Crown Court on Wednesday was given a one year suspended sentence.

Judge Scott-Gall described the 67-year-old’s crime as a “most dreadful offence” which has had a “devastating effect” on the victim’s life.

The woman, who was just 13 at the time of the attack but is now in her 40s, came forward to police last year to report the incident.

Judge Aldis said: “This offence occurred 32 years ago and the damage to the victim has been considerable; she has buried what happened deeply and has hated herself.”

DC Mark Butcher, from Crawley CID, said: “This crime has had a terrible effect on the victim for most of her life.

“Last year, she finally felt strong enough to come forward and tell police of her terrible ordeal.

“It was an incredibly brave thing to do and I hope that this sentence will go some way for her to get the justice and closure that she deserves.”

As well as ordering Aldis to a sentence suspended for two years and to sign the Sex Offender Register for seven years.

August 2013

Porn download was at bestiality and sadism level

A steward at Edinburgh Castle was found with 1,200 pornographic images of children on a computer at his home in Peebles 

Gavin McNeish, 58, downloaded them over three years while living in Violet Bank.

The majority – 1,189 – were at the lowest level of grading used by the courts and showed females aged between 10 and 14 either naked or only partially clothed.

But 11 were at higher levels that included either bestiality or sadism, Selkirk Sheriff Court was told this week.

The 58-year-old, now living in Edinburgh, admitted offending between September 2009 and July last year.

Sheriff Kevin Drummond delayed sentencing for reports, but placed McNeish on the Sex Offenders Register for five years.

The police’s child protection unit was alerted to the downloading of child abuse.

McNeish’s lawyer told the sheriff: “He admits he was on the internet far too much viewing pornographic sites and these pop-ups appeared. He stupidly embarked on this further and the images were downloaded. There is no question of distribution to others.

“On the internet he felt it was quite detached, but he now understands that with every image there has been real life abuse.”

The lawyer said McNeish’s 29-year marriage had collapsed and he felt he needed to resign his £1,100 a month job at Edinburgh Castle.

August 2013

Child rapist’s guilt admission was recorded on phone

A CHILD rapist has been jailed for six years after his grown-up victim recorded his confession over the telephone.

Benjamin Mawdsley, now 24, of no fixed address, raped a 14-year-old girl over a two-year period when he was aged 18 and 19.

Years later, upon spotting him in Chelmsford town centre, his victim set about catching her abuser.

She set up a telephone conversation with him, during which he was recorded.

Judge Anthony Goldstaub QC said at Chelmsford Crown Court on Thursday: “This contact was against a background of intimidation and coercion.

“She was a vulnerable and damaged person, given to self-harming and in fear of you.”

He said Mawdsley was abusive and violent to a girl of whose age he was aware.

Prosecutor Mark Lakin said Mawdsley explained how in the secret recording she was described as an ‘easy target’.

Mawdsley’s family sobbed in court following the sentence before one shouted: “It’s disgraceful.”

Mitigating Clare Ashcroft said Mawdsley, who said he was drinking and self-harming at the time, was remorseful when the victim got back in touch.

Mawdsley pleaded guilty to two offences of rape in 2007 and 2008 and to four offences of sexual activity with a child over the same period in the Chelmsford area.

The judge ordered Mawdsley to sign the sex offenders’ register indefinitely and banned him from contacting the victim or associating with any girl under 16 without guardian permission.

Investigating officer DC Melanie Nicholson gave up days off work to interview Mawdsley.

“I would like to recognise the courage showed by this young woman in coming forward to police and reporting what had happened to her as a teenager,” said DC Nicholson, at the conclusion of the hearing.

“Her bravery enabled us to see this man put behind bars. I hope this conviction can help other victims feel confident to report offences to us, in the knowledge that we will do everything we can to support them and bring the offender to justice.”

Back in February 2010, when Mawdsley was living in a Woodhall Road flat, Mawdsley was ordered to attend a domestic abuse and alcohol treatment programme after a violent outburst at his mother’s home.

The court heard how on November 6, 2009, he drunk six pints and 12 shots before smashing picture frames, plates, glasses, a bowl and internal decorations.

After grabbing a woman by the throat when she tried to call the police, his mother, Wendy, asked him to leave but he returned banging on the door.

He smashed through a window, cut his wrists and pointed it at his girlfriend, before police arrived with a tazer gun.

August 2013

Child rapist jailed for 16 years

A SEX fiend who raped a girl from Robertsbridge has been jailed for 16 years.

Unemployed Jimmy Draper, 36, from Gillingham, Kent, was found guilty after an 11-day trial at Lewes Crown Court.

He faced two counts of rape, one count of sexual activity with a child and one count of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

The offences relate to a girl from Robertsbridge who at the time of the abuse in 2004 and 2005 was just 14 years old.

The offences were reported to police in March last year and a full investigation was launched, leading to Draper’s arrest that November.

Sentencing Draper, Judge Kemp said: “You violated her for your own sexual gratification. For these horrible brutal offences you have to pay the price.”

Investigating officer Det Con Carol Shoesmith said: “He was a controlling individual who had total disregard for the devastating effect his abuse had on his victim, who had to live for years with the emotional and mental pain as she was too frightened to tell anyone.

“I hope his long prison sentence will go some way in helping her to get on with her life knowing that justice has been served.”

She also urged other victims of sexual abuse to come forward so the criminals can be brought to justice.

August 2013

Paedophile who sexually abused young girls six years ago breaches ban

A paedophile who sexually abused three young girls six years ago, has admitted breaching a sexual offences prevention order which banned him from being in the company of a child under 16 unsupervised.

Barry Starr, aged 65, of Manorfield Close, Little Billing, Northampton, appeared at Northampton Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday and pleaded guilty to breaching the terms of an order imposed as part of a four-year jail sentence in February 2007.

Stella Moses, prosecuting, said Starr had been jailed in 2007 after he abused three girls under the age of 13 by making them perform oral sex on him.

Starr had claimed that he was “educating” the girls so that they would not become pregnant.

As a convicted paedophile, Starr was banned from having unsupervised contact with any child under the age of 16 without being accompanied by a person aged at least 25 years old.

Ms Moses said that Starr breached the order on March 31 this year when he spent time with a girl under the age of 10 when another adult was not present.

After being arrested, Starr admitted to police officers that he had breached the terms of his sexual offences prevention order.

In 2007, Starr pleaded guilty to six offences of sexual assault and inciting a child to engage in activity which took place between June 2005 and July 2006.

Magistrates have declined jurisdiction in the case and a sentencing hearing will take place at Northampton Crown Court in September.

August 2013

Teen girls praised for helping cops catch man who paid for sex

TWO teenage girls have been praised for their “bravery” after helping police catch men who were paying to sexually abuse them.

A judge said they had shown “extreme courage” as a 50-year-old man was yesterday ruled to have had sex with the girls, who were aged 15 at the time.

But the jury at Derby Crown Court were told that they could not find Mohammed Najib guilty because he has mental health problems and will most probably be sent to a secure hospital.

Najib, of Salisbury Street, Derby, will be the ninth man sentenced for abusing girls.

Eight men have already been jailed for a total of 42 years for plying the teenagers with alcohol, drugs and gifts before paying them for sex in Normanton and Pear Tree.

Yesterday the court was told that the girls had helped Derbyshire police with their investigation.

Judge Jonathan Gosling said: “They have both showed extreme courage and fortitude. It has gone back many months and, against that background, there is the ordeal they had to go through in giving evidence.”

The jury decided unanimously that Najib paid for sexual services from a child on seven occasions in 2010.

But they were told he was mentally ill and could not be tried in the usual way. They were not able to return a verdict of guilty. Najib will be sentenced on October 11, after psychiatric reports, and the judge said he could be given a hospital order.

He did not attend this week’s four-day trial.

One of the girls told the jury she had mistakenly believed it was legal to sell sex from the age of 16 and gave that age to some of the men. But she said Najib eventually knew she was 15 when they argued over a lost mobile phone.

After that, they had sex once more in his people carrier, off the A52. She later gave police part of the registered number of a vehicle.

The second girl said she also sold sex as a 15-year-old. She described Najib as one of her clients and had a mobile phone number which was registered to his address.

Last September, eight other men were jailed for between four and seven years, banned from working with children for life and were put on the Sex Offenders’ Register.

The investigation, called Operation Kern, began in July 2010, when officers became worried about teenage girls seen on the streets at night.

It involved Derby City Council because some of the girls were in care. Officers identified 15 girls who were involved, seven of whom wished to take part in the prosecution. Five of these girls were victims while the other two were witnesses.

Detective Superintendent Andy Stokes, head of Public Protection, said yesterday: “These girls were young and vulnerable and were exploited by men who groomed them and bought them presents to keep them on-side. They showed tremendous bravery in coming forward and speaking to police and by providing vital evidence to ensure these convictions.”

Det Supt Stokes said the force had worked closely with other agencies in Derby throughout the investigation.

And a spokesman for the Derby Safeguarding Children Board said: “We commend the successful outcome and also the bravery of the young people involved.

“Tackling this form of child abuse continues to be a priority for the Derby Safeguarding Children Board. The outcome shows the success in detecting and disrupting child sexual exploitation.”

EIGHT ALREADY JAILED FOR ABUSE

Stefan Godfrey, 44, of George Street, Pinxton, was convicted of paying a girl of 15 for sex knowing or believing she was underage. He was jailed for six years.

Anthony Lambert, 51, of Warren Street, Derby, was found guilty of paying for sex twice with the same girl. He was jailed for six years.

John Shaw, 54, of Kniveton, was found guilty of twice paying a girl for sexual activity. He was jailed for four years and 11 months.

Mark Adaoui, 40, Carlton Road, Derby, was found guilty of paying a girl to perform a sex act on two occasions. He was jailed for seven years

Ijaz Ahmed, 35, of Becher Street, Derby, was found guilty of paying two different girls for sex when they were 15. He was jailed for six months.

Colin Simpson, 55, of Old School Lane, Cresswell, Worksop, admitted three charges of paying for sexual services of a 15-year-old girl and was jailed for four years.

Ian Yeoman, 49, of Mortimer Street, Derby, admitted 12 counts of paying for sexual services of two girls. He was jailed for four years and eight months.

David Shardlow, 56, of Charlbury Close, Derby, admitted nine counts of paying for sexual services of two girls and possessing indecent images of children. He was jailed for four years.