January 2015

Teacher kicked off Tumblr after being caught viewing indecent images of children

A TEACHER was spared jail after he admitted finding indecent images of children using the Tumblr website.

Christopher Bailey, of Hampden Road, Wantage, was banned from using the blogging site after he found nude photos of children by making “naturist” searches.

The 37-year-old father of two – who taught at Bradon Forest School, in Purton, near Swindon – told police he accidentally brought up the images among many others and never viewed them.

But this was dismissed yesterday by a judge in Oxford Crown Court who said he found it “hard to believe”.

Prosecutor Nigel Ogborne said 95 indecent images were found on Bailey’s PC, which was searched by the police after they received a complaint from his school.

The barrister said this was related to a separate matter concerning a “particular toilet” that was never proceeded with.

He applied for a sexual offences prevention order banning Bailey from using Tumblr or any device that can access the internet without saving a record of sites visited.

Judge Peter Ross said that one thing in the defendant’s favour was that “none of the usual search terms” associated with indecent images had been entered into his computer.

Jenny McVeigh, defending, said: “Mr Bailey will no longer be in a position to take up a position as a teacher in the future. He doesn’t accept ever being aware of consciously viewing these images as they were in a great deal of others that were coming through.”

Judge Ross said he would make the requested order for six years and follow the recommendation made by the Probation Service for a community order with supervision and an internet sex offenders’ programme.

He told Bailey: “You are a secondary school teacher, and you know well the risks of using Tumblr.

“You know it is a site that is used to gain access to pornographic material.

“If there is any breach of the requirements I have made, or any further offending, then you will come back before me and I will send you to prison.”

May 2013

Taxi driver jailed for sexually assaulting 14 year old schoolgirl

A TAXI driver who sexually assaulted a teenage schoolgirl has been jailed for three years.

William Torbitt, from Mayfield Heights, Newtownabbey, was taking the girl to a medical appointment when he committed the offence on February 13.

A judge at Belfast Crown Court told the 39-year-old he must spend a year in jail and the rest on supervised licence conditions.

Judge Gordon Kerr QC also ordered him to sign the police sex offenders register for the rest of his life.

The court heard that after committing the assault, he took the 14-year-old schoolgirl to her appointment where she reported what had happened.

During initial police interviews he claimed nothing had happened but later pleaded guilty to a single charge of sexual activity with a child.

A defence lawyer claimed that the married father-of-two had suffered a “moment of madness” for which he was already paying a heavy price in terms of the loss of his reputation, job, liberty and marriage.

Jailing Torbitt, Judge Kerr said it was an aggravated factor that Torbitt was a taxi driver.

He said the public had a right to expect their driver to take their fares, “especially schoolchildren” to their destinations.

January 2015

Former Devizes mayor convicted of child sex offences

A FORMER Devizes mayor who is dying of cancer was convicted of a string of child sex offences today.

Timothy Price, who was Devizes mayor in 2000, sexually abused a Durrington boy repeatedly between 1974, when the boy was nine, and 1979.

Price, 57, of Waiblingen Way, was found guilty of four counts of indecent assault and one of indecency with a child at Salisbury Crown Court.

The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, broke a 34-year silence when he confronted his abuser by email in August 2013.

Price, who has terminal prostate cancer, had denied all the charges.

He must now wait four weeks to be sentenced while medical reports are prepared.

Prosecuting, Andrew Houston told the opening day of the trial on Monday that Price first made the boy touch him, then moved on to touching him and coercing him to engage in a sex act.

He said the boy had tried to tell family members but the shame had made him clam up. He had not even told his wife, the court heard.

Mr Houston told the jury the alleged victim finally emailed Price on August 3, 2013, after learning that he had terminal prostate cancer.

In the email, Mr Houston told the court, the complainant said the abuse had haunted him for years and that he needed closure before it was too late.

The email read: “You made my life hell by asking me and making me do things an adult should never ask a child to do. The nightmares are always there and never go away.

“I can see what you did was grooming and you subjected me to years of sexual abuse. I remember never wanting to do this and you convincing me that I should. It fills me with absolute revulsion. It makes me want to go and be sick.

“Even now I feel I should keep quiet – admitting it makes me feel dirty and ashamed.

“I think the shame should be yours to face. If you are man enough, as I have to, every day for the rest of my life. The shame is awful. I have spent my life trying to block it out.”

Mr Houston said Price replied just over an hour later with the subject “My crimes”.

He claims the email said: “I suppose I always knew the day would come. Of course I bitterly regret my sexual abuse of you over many years and in no way should you feel it was anyone’s fault but mine. Of course I apologise for my crimes. I hope that helps in some way.

“You were my only victim.

“I make no excuses for my predations. I took advantage of you for my own depraved sexual satisfaction.”

Mr Houston said: “This was a full and frank confession.

“We say this defendant immediately acknowledged his guilt, immediately admitted his guilt.”

Despite the email Price denied all the charges.

Defending, Stephen Dent claimed the victim was only seeking compensation, and was getting his own back on Price for bullying him as a child.

He claimed his client’s email was “complete fiction” designed to tell the victim “what he wanted to hear” to stop him going to the police.

The jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict on each count.

January 2010

Wigan man jailed for 10 years for raping and sexually abusing a young girl

Graham Pipes was told by Judge Robert Warnock that his behaviour had escalated in seriousness.

Judge Warnock said: “You stole her childhood and innocence and I have no doubt she suffered at your hands for the purposes of your own sexual gratification.”

He ordered Pipes to sign on the Sexual Offenders’ Register for life and made a Sexual Offences Prevention Order banning him from unsupervised contact or working with under 16-year-olds.

He said that Pipes, 43, of Mill Lane, Appley Bridge, Wigan, posed a significant risk of serious harm to the public and ordered him to be on a five-year extended licence after he is released.

Mrs Karen Brooks, prosecuting, told Liverpool Crown Court that the offences, which came to light last summer, began with indecent touching and culminated with him raping the girl when she was 14.

When Pipes learnt that the police were coming to see him about the allegations he took an overdose and had to be taken to hospital.

He was interviewed by officers the next day and admitted his indecent behaviour.

Mrs Brooks said: “He said he was disgusted at his behaviour and felt remorseful and horrible and apologised for what he had done.”

He admitted he was attracted to young girls, she added. Mr Paul Treble, defending, said: “It was a classic case of sexual abuse escalating over time.

“He pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and made a full and frank admission to police.”

He said Pipes’ behaviour had been triggered by his feelings of sexual rejection and inadequacy.

Pipes pleaded guilty to three rape offences, attempted rape, two of sexual touching and two charges of sexual assault by penetration.

January 2015

Woman who was sexually abused by step-father speaks out to help others

A woman who was sexually abused by her step-dad when she was seven-years-old has spoken out in hope of helping other victims.

Donna has said she hopes that by waiving her legal right to anonymity, it will help other victims to have the courage to speak out.

Donna was sexually abused by her step-father, Norman Saunders, in the 1970s.

Saunders (73), of Upper Hall Close, was yesterday sentenced to 10 years in prison at Leicester Crown Court.

The sentence was for offences he committed on Donna in 1977, when she was seven.

Donna said: “After 37 years I finally had the courage to break the silence and face my demons.

“That man has had so much of my life. He’s not having one second more.

“This is a despicable crime, one paedophile can wreck so many lives. A paedophile can be anyone, the cutie guy down the road, or on the internet.”

Saunders was found guilty by a jury in December 2014 of one count of serious sexual assault and one of indecent assault.

The sentencing brings and end to an investigation which has spanned three years.

“I now have closure. I am moving on and looking forward to the future,” said Donna

“If this has happened or is happening to you or someone you know, now is the time to speak out. Don’t wait as long as I did.

“Tell someone you trust, anyone, everyone. The paedophile is the one doing wrong.”

Detective Constable Dan Cumpsty, who has worked on the investigation said: “Ms Jacques has used her own experiences to help others – recently talking to other young people who are suffering from, or have suffered abuse.

“I hope that today’s sentencing helps bring to an end this chapter in Donna’s life and she can begin to move forward.”

If you think you have been, or are currently, a victim of sexual abuse please contact Leicestershire Police on 101 or contact Victim Support, which provides information and support for anyone affected by crime, on 0845 303 1947.

January 2015

Pervert, 46, admits sexual assault on girl, 13 – No prison

A 46-year-old man who sexually assaulted a schoolgirl as she travelled on a bus in Willesden Green has walked free from court.

Kamran Amperipour, from Kensington, admitted attacking the 13-year-old in March last year after he was traced through the bus’ CCTV cameras.

He was convicted of sexual assault and sentenced to 18 weeks in jail which was suspended for 18 months.

He was also given a supervision order for 12 months and placed on the sex offender’ register for seven years at Snaresbrook Crown Court last week.

Chief Superintendent Matt Bell, from the Met’s roads and transport policing command, said: “We take all reports of sexual offences on buses seriously and are committed to bringing offenders to justice.

“If someone has made you feel uncomfortable on your bus journey, however minor it may seem to you, reporting it to police can help us target the perpetrator and prevent it from happening to another passenger.”

January 2015

Man jailed after he admitted possessing and making indecent images of children

Peter Vlasto, 58, appeared at Norwich Crown Court yesterday to be sentenced after previously admitting two counts of possession of indecent images and a further count of making indecent images.

The offences, which happened between 2008 and 2013, included about 30 images of class A – the most serious.

The court heard police in this country were tipped off by Canadian authorities.

Vlasto, of Long Gores, Hickling, near Great Yarmouth, was found to have the images, including some of children as young as five, on his computer.

Sentencing Vlasto to a total of 12 months imprisonment, Judge Stephen Holt said he would be failing in his public duty if he did not impose an immediate custodial sentence.

He said some of the children were as young as young as five at the time the images were taken and now “trying to live with what someone did to them at the age of five”.

Ian James, for Vlasto, who the court heard had previous convictions for similar offences, had a “deep seated problem that goes back through the whole of his adult life”.

But Mr James said Vlasto was an intelligent man, who went to Cambridge University, and would take any help offered to him to deal with his problem.

Vlasto was also made the subject of a sexual offences prevention order (SOPO) for 10 years.

January 2015

Man convicted of raping two young girls over 16 year period and beat one with a shovel and poker

David Smith, 64, abused the girls over a 16 year-period from 1975 to 1991. He was also found guilty of sexually abusing a third girl and physically abusing two girls and a boy.

Smith denied the charges against him and claimed his victims were “scheming bitches” and “liars”.

The High Court in Glasgow heard that Smith was described by one of his rape victims as always being “touchy-feely”. She was first abused by him at seven years old and first raped when she was ten.

She told advocate depute Bruce Erroch, prosecuting, that Smith had “stolen her childhood”. He raped her on various occasions between June 1979 and June 1985.

The jury heard that he would strip naked, kiss her on the neck and then rape her.

The victim, who is now 45, told the jury that Smith, of Galston, Ayrshire, would also beat her with a belt, a poker, a shovel and a wooden spoon.

His other rape victim, now 39, told the jury: “I’ve blocked most of what he did to me out. It was the only way I was able to survive.”

On one occasion between January 1983 and June 1985, she claimed that Smith forced her to wear his wife’s bra and pants before sexually abusing her.

However, that part of the charged was not proven. First offender Smith was also convicted of sexually abusing a third girl between February 1976 and February 1979.

On one occasion he put his hands under her clothing when she was aged seven and they were sitting side by side on a settee.

Smith, who is also known as Darter, engaged in sexual activity with one of his rape victims while she was sleeping in bed with his other rape victim.

Judge Lord Matthews told Smith: “The jury has convicted you of a catalogue of very serious offences.”

He remanded Smith in custody, placed him on the sex offenders register and deferred sentence until next month.

May 1980, Kirton attempted to rape an 18 year old girl in Bacon Lane, Frensham near Farnham, she was threatened with a knife, pushed into scrub land by Frensham Big Pond, she was then stripped naked and raped. She managed to escape and ran naked back to her workplace at kennels close by.

Thursday 5th June 1980, 14 year old Clare Hutchison took the same route to school everyday. Kenneth Kirton was a painter and decorator, working on a house in Burnt Hill Road Lower Bourne, he would see Clare on her walk every morning.

On this day, using his painters knife he grabbed her. He forced her into his hire van and drove to the Old Frensham Road wooded area where he forced her out of the van and attempted to rape her.

He cut her throat with his painters knife, and left her half naked, face down in the mud, he made a vain attempt to hide the body by throwing a few clumps of mud and grass over her.

Monday 8th June 1980, a 16 year old girl was walking home in Haslemere when she was approached by a man who threatened her with a knife and tried to get her into his van. The girl managed to escape when a passer by intervened.

She ran home and managed to remember the van registration number which she wrote in lipstick on the kitchen table.

Later that day Kirton was arrested, he admitted rape and murder. At this time police did not know Clare had been murdered they had her down as a missing person.

Kirton agreed to show police where the body was.

Tuesday 10th June 1980, Police drove to the site. The body was confirmed to be that of 14 year old Clare Hutchison.

Thursday 12th June 1980, Kirton remanded in custody for murder.

31st October 1980, At the Old Bailey Kirton pleaded guilty to murder, and was sentenced to life imprisonment with a recommendation that he serve a minimum of 25 years behind bars.

January 2015

Newton Abbot pervert with 200,000 indecent images of children walks free from court

A NEWTON Abbot man found with 30,000 indecent images and movies of children on his computer has walked free from court after telling the judge he was motivated to change his ways.

Self-confessed ‘porn-addict’ James Crowder, 58, had so many images on his computer that police stopped counting when they had enough to prosecute him.

Exeter Crown Court was told that a further 192,000 images were not analysed.

Crowder used file software which allowed other users to view and contribute images to his computer.

The court was told that police used a warrant to search Crowder’s house on April 1, last year.

Prosecutor Emily Pitts said they found the file sharing software and an ‘incredibly high’ number of illegal images.

Of those examined 5,418 were put in Category A (the most serious); 7,196 were in Category B; 16,663 were in Category C. There were also 87 movies – 61 in Category A; three extreme images and 300 prohibited images.

Police examined searches on the computer and found terms relating to children and pre-teen sex. Children in the images were aged between two and 13.

Crowder admitted 13 counts of making indecent images of children, having a prohibited image of a child, and possessing extreme pornographic images.

In mitigation, William Parkhill, said a pre-sentence report showed Crowder to be a low level risk of re-offending. He said he admitted his problem and wanted to get help for it.

Judge Philip Wassall told the defendant: “You were found when your home was searched to have, and even in the experience of this court this is considerable, 192,000 images on your computer which on the face of it had an indication were unlawful images of children.

“A section of these images were analysed. There were a very large number of the most serious images.

“You are of good character but people in these types of cases often are.

“What is different is that I am used to seeing people downplay their interest in children. You have admitted this full-on and accept you have a problem and have set out to do something about it. That is very unusual with offences as serious as this.”

Crowder of Kittersley Drive, was jailed for 20 months, suspended for two years. He was made the subject of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, put on the Sex Offenders’ Register for 10 years, and told to complete a sex offender internet programme

January 2015

Toxteth paedophile who targeted two young girls jailed for 13 years

A paedophile from Toxteth who sexually abused two girls has been jailed for 13 years.

Stephen Woods, 50, of Kelby Close, repeatedly molested one of his victims when she was aged between 11 and 13.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that he also abused her 12-year-old friend on a single occasion after he had been drinking.

Nicholas Walker, prosecuting, said Woods targeted his main victim around 40 times.

But an unrepentant Woods shook his head as a victim impact statement was read out in court, describing the pain he had caused the girl.

The pervert, with receding grey hair, then turned and mouthed abuse at the victims’ families.

He was unanimously found guilty of committing 12 sexual offences after a trial last December.

These included sexual assault, serious sexual assault, causing a child to engage in sexual activity and indecency with a child.

Desmond Lennon, defending, said: “He has been unable to accept the verdict of the jury. He remains resolute in that view.”

Mr Lennon said his client had lived “an honest and industrious life” until suffering an accident in 1995, which had left him partially tetraplegic [paralysis caused by illness or injury].

He added: “He has a disability that may affect his capacity to sustain a period of imprisonment.”

The court heard he had one unrelated previous conviction in 1993.

Judge Thomas Teague, QC, said there was clear evidence that Woods had caused his victim “severe psychological harm” and abused a position of trust.

He accepted that he suffered from some form of disability, but said this was not enough to prevent him from serving a prison sentence.

The judge said that to Woods the sentence might seem “unduly severe”, while to his victims it could appear lenient.

He said: “The truth is such cases and the harm they cause cannot be reduced to or measured in months of imprisonment.Nothing can ever undo what you did to those girls.”

He handed Woods a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which includes the condition that he must not contact his victims.Speaking after the case, Detective Constable Tamsin Chambers, from the Merseyside Police specialist Matrix Serious & Organised Crime Unity team, said: “The young girls have shown tremendous courage in coming forward and reporting the abuse to police.

“It must have been extremely difficult for them to relate what happened to them and I would like to reassure any victims of sexual abuse that we are here and ready to support you every step of the way. We have specially trained officers who will do everything possible in bringing offenders to justice.

January 2015

Crewe paedophile jailed for abusing schoolgirl

A PAEDOPHILE abused a schoolgirl and stockpiled a stash of extreme pornography – 10 years after police let him off for having images of child sexual abuse on his computer. 

Andrew Hickton, sexually assaulted the youngster and took dozens of pictures of her semi-naked body.

Police later raided the 47-year-old’s Shelton home and found at least 5,000 indecent pictures and videos of other children.

Now Hickton formerly of Crewe has been jailed for four years and eight months for his sex crimes.

It emerged Hickton was arrested in 2004 after police found indecent images of children on his computer. But Cheshire Police took no action after Hickton said it was an accident.

The case has shocked charities that work with sex-abuse victims. Justine Eardley-Dunn, chief executive of the Hanley-based Savana charity said: “It was a difficult situation for the police.

“But the effects of such abuse can be extremely long-term and life-changing.”

The mother of the girl has told how she has ‘cried herself to sleep’ since her daughter was attacked by the sex offender.

The attack has torn apart the girl’s family after the youngster was sexually abused and photographed in semi-naked poses.

Andrew Hickton took 70 pictures of the girl wearing just pyjamas and a onesie.

More than 5,000 additional images and videos of other children – as well as films showing sex abuse involving animals – were then found by police at Hickton’s Shelton home last February.

Now Hickton, of Snow Hill, has been jailed for four years and eight months for his sex crimes and ordered to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register.

Warrington Crown Court heard Hickton was first quizzed over a possible offence of watching child sexual abuse offence 10 years ago – but police took no action.

Prosecutor Sarah Badrawry said: “Ten years later, officers attended the home address of the defendant.

“A laptop, discs and a mobile phone were seized.

“He used peer-to-peer file sharing software but denied making or distributing indecent images.”

Hickton made and downloaded the child porn images between 2009 and 2014.

The court heard the sex attack has destroyed the girl’s family.

A statement from the girl’s mother read out to the court said: “This has caused nightmares to the point where I have cried myself to sleep on many occasions.

“This is constantly on my mind and I’m the one who has to pick up the pieces.

“It is impossible for us to live a normal life.”

Hickton pleaded guilty to 13 offences, including sexual assault, possession of indecent images, making indecent images, distributing indecent images and possession of extreme pornography.

Hickton, who defended himself, told the court: “I am totally prepared to accept what I am given.”

Judge Raj Shetty told Hickton: “I’m not dealing with someone who has had a short-lived curiosity in child abuse images.

“These are real victims of sexual abuse, whose lives are probably destroyed by this type of filth, and demand for images from people like you.”

Cheshire Police today defended their decision to take no action after arresting Hickton in 2004 for having child porn images. The defendant was freed after claiming he had seen the images by accident.

A spokesman said: “Cheshire Police officers attended the address of the offender in 2004 and established that a small number of indecent images had been deleted from his computer.

“The offender said he had unknowingly downloaded some files, deleting them as soon as he realised what they were.

“The ensuing investigation could not disprove these claims and it was agreed there would be no realistic prospect of conviction. Subsequently, a decision was made to take no further action in that case.

“During this week’s hearing, the judge did not question this, nor order an inquiry.

“We are pleased that we have been able to secure a conviction against Hickton, who will now spend many years in prison.”

January 2015

Wirral dad who inflicted catalogue of injuries on his baby son is jailed for 11 years

A WIRRAL dad who caused a catalogue of injuries to his six-week-old son has been jailed for 11 years 

Liverpool Crown Court also heard while on bail for the attack Sean Cottrell violently beat his four-month-old puppy causing such terrible injuries that it had to be put to sleep.

Sentencing him, Judge Robert Warnock said that he had shown a complete lack of insight into what he had done to his son and the case involved “the flagrant abuse of power and trust.”

22-year-old Cottrell, of Park Road South, Claughton, had been found guilty of one charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and two of inflicting grievous bodily harm to the baby.

“The amount of force used by you was substantial and obvious and it is clear to me that you lost your temper and for whatever reason pulled, squeezed and shook the child so violently as to cause those injuries,” said Judge Warnock.

While alone with him at the child’s home in Howson Street, Rock Ferry, for just 15 minutes he broke his right leg by twisting and pulling, fractured two ribs through squeezing him tight while shaking him so hard his brain struck the inside of his skull causing bleeding.

The court heard that the boy has shown no signs of brain damage since the incident on July 9, 2013 but the judge pointed out that the long term prognosis is unknown.

“You were left alone and in charge of your son for a short period of time. You, for whatever reason had concluded that your son had not bonded with you in any meaningful way and to use your expression ‘hated’ you.

“A view which in my judgement accurately reflects your total lack of insight into the needs and capacities of an infant child,” said Judge Warnock.

He was then unable or unwilling to reveal what he had done, thereby delaying medical treatment by about a day, and fabricated an unrealistic story about how he might have accidentally sustained his injuries.

The judge said Cottrell had tried to suggest the baby’s mum, and or her own mum, were in some way responsible – but the only person to blame was Cottrell and there was no blame or criticism of them.

He pointed out that the offence of causing unnecessary suffering to the dog and failing to get treatment from a vet,”emphasises the lengths you will go having lost your temper through frustration” and believed it was right to conclude he would benefit from psychological intervention.

Cottrell was jailed for 14 weeks last August for injuring the puppy, Staffordshire bull terrier cross, ‘Dexter’, and a vet described its injuries as “the single worst case of animal suffering in my entire career” and likened it to injuries caused by being hit by a car.

Christopher Stables, prosecuting, said that the puppy, described as ‘placid and well behaved’ was injured just before Christmas 2013 and a member of the public reported hearing about 20 thuds over two minutes and the puppy screaming out.

The animal, whose injuries included brain damage, was put to sleep “as an act of mercy”.

Janet Reaney, defending, said the assault on the child arose from a background of frustration.

While being in prison on remand he has reflected on his behaviour and now accepts responsibility for the injuries.

February 2003

Life term for rapist

A man has been given an automatic life sentence for raping a prostitute in Middlesbrough.

Dean Cartwright, 33, admitted raping the woman on 4 October 2002 last year and was jailed by a judge at Teesside Crown Court on Friday.

The court heard that in the last 10 years Cartwright had also been jailed for the rape of two other women and for indecently assaulting a teenage girl

Cleveland Police have welcomed the sentence handed down to Cartwright, from Sandy Lane, Wolviston Court, Billingham.

Judge Leslie Spittle told Cartwright that it must have been a terrifying experience for his latest victim.

Sergeant Gary Fernandes, of Middlesbrough CID, said Cartwright was a menace to women and his conviction has made the streets of Middlesbrough a safer place.

He added that it was always disturbing to hear of a woman who has been subject to a sex attack, adding that the fact the woman was a prostitute made no difference.

November 2012

Pervert downloaded indecent images of animal abuse

He was known as the man who ran gaming clubs for teenagers.

But pervert Benjamin Ward had another hobby so sick he kept it secret for more than a decade.

That was until his partner shopped him to police and kicked him out of their house in Readerscroft Road, Rainham, when she found he’d collected so many sickening images of children he needed a warehouse to store them.

Ward, who ran a Gamers’ Guild club on Tuesday nights at the Rainham Community Centre, downloaded and made more than 10,000 indecent images of children and 1,000 movie clips, and regularly viewed extreme pornographic images of people engaged in sexual activity with live and dead animals – including dogs and horses.

But the 46-year-old escaped jail when Judge David Griffith-Jones gave him a suspended sentence and ordered he undertake a course of treatment for his sexually perverted obsessions.

In a hearing that will send shudders through former club members, Maidstone Crown Court heard how the 46-year-old’s “deviant proclivities” had got so out of control he had to rent a storage unit in Gillingham Business Park to hide the burgeoning evidence of his dark addiction.

That addiction had first come to light back in 1998, when his partner’s daughter discovered images on his computer, and Ward had promised to cure himself of his obsession.

But that was easier said than done – Ward couldn’t shake his sick habit and his obsession carried on into the next millenium, until he eventually went to his brother, a psychotherapist.

“He said ‘you have to tell your partner’,” recalled defence barrister, Simon Wickens.”

He does so. He’s given four hours to get out the house and she rings the police.”

Once reported, Ward immediately cooperated with police, leading them straight to his shameful collection and pleading guilty at the earliest opportunity to all 12 counts.

These were for possessing and making indecent and extreme images, two counts of possessing images portraying an act of intercourse with a dead or live animal, six counts of possessing images of children, including movie clips, and four counts of making indecent images of children.

Mr Wickens explained Ward had been exposed to sexual activity at a young age, adding “some might look at what he experienced as a form of abuse.

“That early sexualisation has led to an interest in and an obsession with pornographic images of children.”

Ward was previously a man of good character who had established a successful career in computers, said Mr Wickens, and since admitting his problems had sought to find help for them – working with Lucy Faithful Foundation child protection agency, and attending Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA) meetings.

And the former gaming club organiser had now set up a different club – his own SAA group – in an effort to help others.

Obese with his grey hair tied up above his head, wearing a red fleece over his shirt and tie, Ward stood wide-eyed as Judge Griffith-Jones addressed him for sentence.

The judge said the images concerned fell into category four, in the scale of one to five, but added: “there’s a fair amount of mitigation.

“You have expressed remorse which I accept as genuine. You stand before me as a result of a series of events that brought these matters to police attention after you yourself made disclosure of them to others, that being a result of your desire to address your deviant thinking.”

He imposed a 10-month prison sentence suspended for two years, as well as a two-year supervision order. Ward will also be on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.

September 2005

Missing sex attacker found guilty

A man who disappeared during his trial has been found guilty of various sex offences in his absence.

Police are now looking for David Anderson, 64, who went missing from Gloucester Crown Court on Wednesday.

The trial continued in his absence and he was found guilty of offences against a girl, 13, and a woman, 19.

Anderson, of Quay Street, Gloucester, was convicted of five indecent assaults, four charges of indecency and one of attempted indecency.

He had previously admitted two charges of making indecent images of a child, Gloucestershire Police said.

Anderson left Gloucester Crown Court on Wednesday after claiming to be ill.

Officers are now trying to trace him so that he can be brought back before a judge to be sentenced.

Detective Constable Gill Leeder led the investigation and appealed for help in tracking Anderson down.

“Clearly these were serious offences and it gives us some satisfaction to know that our investigation ended in a conviction, not least for the young victims who have suffered enormously because of his actions, ” she said.

“We also need to find Anderson now to ensure he faces the court to be sentenced and that he serves that sentence, whatever it may be.”

January 2015

Pervert avoids prison for possession of indecent images

Richard David HOUNSLOW, Station Road, Totnes. Age: 46.

Between 22/03/2008 and 01/05/2014 at Totnes had possession of an indecent photograph of a child.

Plea: Guilty.

Between 14/08/2007 and 23/02/2008 at Totnes made an indecent photograph of a child.

Plea: Guilty.

On 01/05/2014 at Totnes possessed an extreme pornographic image which was grossly offensive, disgusting or otherwise of an obscene character.

Plea: Guilty.

Plus eight related offences.

Community order made.

Participate in Internet Sex Offender Treatment for 140 days. Pay victim surcharge of £60.

Costs of £40.

January 2015

Paedophile ‘weeps in dock’ as he is jailed for two years

A PAEDOPHILE who sexually assaulted a schoolgirl was caught following a tip-off from the public.

George Carrington, 42, wept in the dock as details of his vile crimes were read out at Hull Crown Court.

He admitted sexually assaulting a schoolgirl, voyeurism and downloading indecent images of children.

His abuse against the girl was only discovered after a member of the public tipped off the police that indecent images of children were available to share via a website from a computer linked to his house in Hunsley Avenue, west Hull.

On his computer, officers found two secret films of a girl taking a shower and a bath that dated back several years, 60 indecent images of children and five extreme pornographic images.

Prosecuting, Glenn Parsons said: “Police entered an address following a tip-off that indecent images were available to share on peer-to-peer websites from a computer there.

“Officers attended and the defendant was present. He said the computer had been connected to the internet between January 14 and July 2 and had on it indecent photographs to share.

“The defendant then said they would find things on his laptop and he had downloaded them and asked what would happen to him.

“He was then arrested.”

Police carried out a full search of the house and seized two laptops.

On them, they found two films, lasting 19 and nine minutes, which showed the defendant placing a digital camera on the panel of a door in a bathroom before leaving the room.

A girl could be seen entering and then taking a shower and a bath.

Mr Parsons said: “At the start of the video, it shows the defendant to be concealing the recording device in the bathroom and he is then seen to leave the room.”

After police traced the girl in the films, she was interviewed and described being sexually assaulted by Carrington on one occasion.

When Carrington was asked about the films he said he had only watched a few seconds of them but accepted he made them without the girl’s permission.

He also said he “might have accidentally” touched the girl but admitted it was “inappropriate” and denied it was for his own sexual gratification.

Defending, Charlotte Baines said Carrington, who has no previous convictions, was showing “encouraging signs” of rehabilitation and had contacted sexual abuse prevention charity Stop It Now.

She said he had suffered with depression after losing his parents at a young age and his brother in 2009.

“It is often the case that a man completely denies everything and recognises nothing is at fault but that is not the position here,” said Miss Baines.

“He says he knows he has done wrong and wishes to do everything he can possibly do to explore why he has committed this range of sexual offences.”

Carrington was sentenced to two years in prison and must stay on the sex offenders register for seven years.

January 2015

Pervert who abused young girl spared prison sentence

An ‘awkward and immature’ teen who sexually abused a young girl has been spared jail by a judge.

Ali Parkook, 19, of Fairfax Road, Cambridge, appeared before Judge Gareth Hawkesworth at Cambridge Crown Court on Friday, to face sentencing for a string of sexual offences.

The college student was charged with three counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and one count of making and possessing indecent images of a child.

His offences were discovered after analysis of his computer, which revealed messages he had sent to a number of young girls. He had contacted at least two different victims, both aged under 18, with another three identified whose ages proved unobtainable.

He consistently denied all the allegations, insisting throughout his trial someone else had accessed his computer, but he was found guilty by a jury on December 17.

Judge Hawkesworth attributed Parkook’s offending to his ‘social isolation’, and lack of interaction with girls his own age.

He said: “You are a young man from a close and supportive family of considerable intelligence, but a young man who I consider at the time of these offences was immature and socially isolated.

“You have found social interaction with girls your own age awkward and difficult.”

He added: “The evidence was overwhelming, but so is, I anticipate, your shame and your difficulty in being open and honest with your family.

“You remain in total denial in the assertion that others must have been responsible, but the jury was satisfied that that could not have been so.”

He sentenced Parkook to a two-year suspended sentence and supervision order, and 175 hours unpaid work.

He will also have to sign the sex offenders’ register for seven years, in light of his prolongued denial.

Judge Hawkesworth said: “If you come to terms with what you have done and demonstrate to all concerned that you have been fully rehabilitated, there is a chance that the court could be persuaded that period of registration should be reduced.”

January 2015: Now living in walley place, Burslem

March 2009

Man admits sex assault on young schoolgirl

PERVERT Thomas Phillips has pleaded guilty to the sexual assault of a child aged under 13.

The 33-year-old, formerly of Harpfield Road, Trent Vale, admitted he intentionally touched the girl by putting his arm around her and smacking her bottom.

The incident happened on November 23 last year, Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard yesterday.

Phillips also pleaded guilty to failing to comply with the sex offender notification requirements by not notifying police of his address.

Judge Granville Styler adjourned the case so a full pre-sentence report could be prepared on Phillips, who has a previous conviction in 2004 for indecent assault on a female under the age of 14.

He was remanded in custody.