February 2015

Computer programmer who downloaded indecent images of children as young as six spared jail

A computer programmer who downloaded indecent images of children as young as six has been spared jail.

David Vaughan was brought to justice following a police raid on his home in Codsall.

Stafford Crown Court heard officers found numerous pieces of computer equipment during the raid on November 8, 2013, which were sent off for forensic examination.

In total, 244 still images and 53 movies of children, predominantly boys, were found on the devices, said Mr Robert Edwards, prosecuting.

There were 90 photos of the most serious nature, Category A,

64 in Category B

and 90 in Category C.

Of the movies, 39 were Category A and 14 Category B.

When questioned, Vaughan said he was a self-employed computer programmer and the illicit material had probably been transferred from other people’s computers on to his own and he was not attracted to the images.

But when he was shown transcripts of chatroom logs he had taken part in, he said it was ‘only fantasy to pass the time of day’.

Vaughan, aged 63, of Lane Green Road, Codsall, admitted two charges of making indecent images of children.

He was given a three-year community order with a condition of undergoing a sex offender treatment programme. He was also ordered to pay £1,200 costs.

Judge Michael Challinor told him: “Members of the public think that people who download or access images of children being sexually abused should go to prison for a fairly lengthy period and you can see how they feel that way – most people are revolted. But there is a great difference in terms of seriousness between a person who abuses and photographs such abuse and those who distribute it and people like you who access it for their own sexual gratification.

“If I were to send you to prison, it would be a relatively short period. What you need is to be on a course which will turn you away from this behaviour.

“I don’t regard you as a sexual predator, you are a lonely and socially isolated man who fell in to the temptation of accessing this material. I am satisfied you have learned your lesson.”

Mr Jason Patel, defending, said Vaughan had no previous convictions.

February 2015

Rhyl man convicted of child sex abuse jailed for eight years

A MAN convicted of child sex abuse was jailed for eight years by a judge who told him: ”You have no insight into your offending behaviour or any comprehension of the harm you caused.” 

Bernard Cotton, 44, of Seabank Road, Rhyl, had been found guilty of three indecent assault charges and a count of indecency. 

He was sentenced at Caernarfon crown court by Judge Rhys Rowlands who said the abuse had a “profound effect” on the victim. 

He must register as a sex offender for life and a sexual offences prevention order was made. 

Defence barrister Simon Mintz said Cotton had led a productive life. 

He added: ”It’s going to be his first and very serious prison sentence.”  

February 2015

Obsessed sexual pervert who believes ‘men have a right to sex’ too dangerous to be freed from jail

An internet groomer who believes “men have a right to sex” remains too dangerous to be let out of prison even though he has now been in custody for nine years, the High Court has decided.

A judge upheld a Parole Board ruling that Clive Hall, 44, from Roydon, Essex, remains a particularly high risk to under-age girls.

Hall was given an indeterminate sentence for public protection (IPP) at Chelmsford Crown Court in June 2006 for three offences of unlawful consensual sexual activity with two girls.

Mrs Justice Simler, sitting in London, said Hall had been involved in grooming 14 and 15-year-olds while receiving treatment for his “obsession with sex”.

He had met the girls through the internet even though he was under an extended supervision order after serving a three-month sentence for possessing child pornography images.

The judge said: “He conducted himself in a deceptive and manipulative manner whilst participating in a sex offender treatment programme – giving the impression that he understood the seriousness of his earlier sexual offences and was developing victim empathy, whereas he was committing (further) offences and the risk he posed to young girls was escalating.”

Hall’s case came back before the High Court in a challenge to the legality of his ongoing detention under his IPP.

At his trial he was ordered to remain in jail for at least three and a half years, subsequently reduced on appeal to two and a half, before he could be considered for parole.

The minimum term expired in December 2008, but Hall remains inside.

Philip Rule, who appeared for Hall, argued that his sentence had become “arbitrary, and grossly disproportionate” and was a breach of his human rights because of its impact on his private and family life.

Mr Rule said no consideration had been given to the fact that IPP sentences were abolished in December 3 2012 under the Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act (Laspo).

Mr Rule argued that it was “grossly unfair” that prisoners like Hall serving indefinite sentences might be detained alongside inmates convicted of precisely the same offences after IPPs were abolished, and then have “to endure their automatic release” at the end of a fixed term.

Adding on the time Hall spent on remand, he had so far served nine years in jail – the equivalent of 18 years if he had been given a determinate sentence, said Mr Rule.

But the judge ruled that IPP sentences remained lawful and the Parole Board’s focus was rightly on the risk posed by Hall’s release.

She declared: “The Parole Board is not required to balance the public protection needed against other interests, including the interests of the prisoner and his family in his release in order to enjoy family and private life rights.”

The judge said a “considerable number of risk factors” had been identified, including Hall’s “obsession with sex, feeling inadequate, lack of intimate relationships, believing men have a right to sex, and sexual interest in teenage girls”.

The judge added: “He demonstrated on several occasions in open conditions that his capacity for deceptive, manipulative and untrustworthy behaviour and his feelings of entitlement, which were factors in his grooming of sexual victims, had not reduced.”

February 2015

Two Slough men have been jailed for sexual offences against three girls

Two men who sexually exploited underage girls at a flat in Slough have been jailed.

Esmatullah Haidaree, 46, of Farm Crescent and Azim Ahmed, 23, of Diamond Road, were sentenced at Reading Crown Court today.

The pair were found guilty  of abusing and exploiting three under-age girls following a two-and-a-half week trial in December.

Ahmed was jailed for six years for five counts of sexual activity with a child.

He was also made subject to a SOPO for 10 years and the Sex Offender’s Register for life.

Haidaree was sentenced to two years for two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and four counts of sexual assault.

Haidaree was also made subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) and the Sex Offender’s Register, both for 10 years.

During the sentencing the court heard how Ahmed used a flat in Stratfield Road, which was being looked after by Haidaree, to hold social occasions for underage girls.

The court heard how one of the girls was offered a place to stay in the flat by Ahmed after she fell out with her family.

Sentencing, Judge Joanna Cutts, said: “You exploited that girl, in my view grooming her, supplying her with money and food and bought her alcohol in order to have sexual intercourse with her.”

The court heard how other girls were targeted and brought to the flat for ‘social gatherings’ where they were sexually abused by the two men.

The court heard how Haidaree had got into a bed where one of the girls slept and put his hands under the cover to touch her and had also grabbed the breasts of a girl from behind.

“You, Mr Haidaree, clearly wanted to join in with the sexual activities that was taking place in the flat,” added Judge Cutts.

“In my view all of these sexual assaults were planned. Mr Ahmed you targeted young and vulnerable girls.”

The men were arrested in May and June last year following an investigation by Thames Valley Police’s Child Abuse Investigation Unit (CAIU).

Detective Sergeant Richard Jarvis said: “I am pleased with today’s sentences which reflect the severity of the offences committed by both Haidaree and Ahmed. Both took advantage of three young and vulnerable girls.

“The sentences should also send out a clear message to anyone targeting children in this way, that Thames Valley Police will not tolerate such criminality and will pursue and convict those responsible.

He added: “I would like to take this opportunity to once again thank the victims for their absolute bravery in coming forward and their courage in giving evidence at court last year. My thoughts continue to be with them, their families and also the witnesses who gave evidence.”

December 2014

Two Slough men guilty of child sex offences

Two men have been convicted of a number of sexual offences against three girls.

Esmatullah Haidaree, 45, of Farm Crescent, Slough, and Azim Ahmed, 23, of Diamond Road, Slough, were convicted at Reading Crown Court.

Haidaree was found guilty of two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and four counts of sexual assault and Ahmed was convicted of five counts of sexual activity with a child.

Both had denied the offences, which were committed in 2013.

Sentencing is due to take place in February.

The pair were arrested in May and June last year following an investigation by Thames Valley Police’s Child Abuse Investigation Unit.

They were charged in March this year in relation to incidents involving three girls aged 14 and 15.

During the early hours of Sunday, 7 April 2013, the police were contacted by a member of the public who reported that two girls were in a flat in Slough sleeping on a spare mattress.

Police said they discovered that the girls, along with a third victim, had been abused by Haideree and Ahmed.

Det Sgt Richard Jarvis, officer in the case, thanked the girls for their “absolute bravery” in giving evidence at court.

“The actions of these two men were truly appalling,” said Adrian Foster, chief crown prosecutor for Thames and Chiltern Crown Prosecution Service.

“They are nothing less than vicious sexual predators.

“The jury saw through their fabrications and they must now face full responsibility for their despicable behaviour.”

Ahmed was found not guilty on one count of sexual activity with a child under 13 and two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

They were charged on March 27 as a result of an investigation into alleged Child Sexual Exploitation and will appear at Slough Magistrates’ Court on Monday, April 14.

Ahmed was charged in connection with a total of eight offences, which are:

• Engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 15 between March 14 2013 and March 18 2013.

• Engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 15 between April 5 2013 and April 8 2013.

• Four counts of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 15 between January 31 2013 and May 23 2013.

• Two counts of causing/inciting a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity – no penetration – between March 14 2013 and March 18 2013.

Haidaree was charged with six offences, which are:

• Engaging in non penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 15 between March 14 2013 and April 8 2013.

• Two counts of engaging in non penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 15 between January 31 2013 and May 23 2013.

• Engaging in non penetrative sexual activity with girl aged 13 to 15 between March 14 2013 and March 18 2013.

• Causing/inciting a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity – no penetration – between January 31 2013 and May 23 2013.

• Causing/inciting a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity – no penetration – between March 14 2013 and March 18 2013

February 2015

A SOUTHAMPTON man has been warned that he may go to jail after admitting indecent images charges involving more than 7,000 images.

Matthew Wedge, 29, of Hilltop Drive, admitted 11 charges of making and possessing indecent images and one of possessing extreme pornography.

Judge Nicholas Rowland extended his bail at the city crown court until March 9

February 2015

Man convicted of subjecting two women and seven children to horrific sexual and physical abuse

A man who subjected two women and seven children to horrific sexual and physical attacks is facing a lengthy prison sentence.

David McLeish, 49, was convicted of rape, sexual assault and assault charges following a two-week trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.

The court heard how his victims, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, were aged between four and 43.

Unemployed McLeish’s campaign of abuse took place at various addresses in the Perthshire area between September 1996 and December 2009.

During his attacks, McLeish, who lives on state benefits, raped two pregnant women and assaulted children with belts and slippers.

He was finally brought to justice after his victims plucked up enough courage to contact the police.

On Friday, after a day and a half of deliberation, a jury convicted McLeish of four charges of rape and two charges of lewd and libidinous conduct.

He was also convicted of eight charges of physical assault and two charges of sexual assault.

Temporary judge John Beckett QC remanded McLeish in custody and deferred sentence so the court can obtain reports about his character.

Placing him on the sex offenders register, judge Beckett told McLeish: “Due to the nature of the serious sexual offences to which you have been convicted of, you will be remanded in custody.”

McLeish, of Perth, had maintained his innocence throughout his trial.

However, prosecution lawyers were able to prove that he was a violent criminal.

The court heard that McLeish started sexually abusing his first victim when she was aged just nine years old in 1996 at a house in Perth. He then repeatedly assaulted and raped her on numerous occasions, including when she was pregnant.

Between February 1997 and February 2000 he sexually abused and repeatedly beat up a young girl. She was aged just six when the abuse began.

McLeish also repeatedly beat up a young boy between September 1996 and October 2003. The court heard he was five when McLeish began using a belt and slipper in his attacks.

He also repeatedly beat a girl aged four in October 1998 and continued to beat her until May 2002. He also struck a five-year-old boy in October 1998 and picked on him on numerous occasions until 2004.

In June 2000, McLeish raped another pregnant woman, who gave evidence in court. The 43-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said McLeish came to her house before attacking her.

“It was at night time. It was after the kids had gone to bed. Everybody was sleeping. I was in bed as well,” she said.

“He just kind of tried to be all over me. I knew he had been drinking. He was trying to feel me up. I was saying ‘no I don’t want anything.’

“I kept saying ‘no’. He wasn’t really listening. He just wanted to keep going. I was just trying to push him off. I was just scared.”

When asked by prosecution lawyer Shanti Maguire about how she felt, the woman added: “I was scared. I felt really disgusted.

“I told him that I didn’t want sex. I told him that he forced me to do that. I told him to just go.”

Another woman gave evidence about how McLeish physically assaulted another of his victims. The woman was a guest at a house where McLeish was staying.

The woman, who also cannot be named, said she heard banging noises in another room and that she thought McLeish was attacking a woman.

She said she saw the victim with a cut lip, a black eye and marks around her neck the following morning.

In December 2009, McLeish raped another 43-year-old woman.

McLeish pleaded not guilty to the offences but was convicted by a jury. After the verdict was given, Ms Maguire revealed that McLeish had previous convictions.

Judge Beckett deferred sentence for the court to obtain reports. McLeish will be sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow on February 13, 2015.

Detective Sergeant Marshall McKay, who lead the police investigation said: “David McLeish is a dangerous individual, who physically and sexually abused his domestic partners and their children throughout his adult life.

“I would personally like to thank the women and their families for the strength and courage they have shown in coming forward. In doing so they have ensured that McLeish has been brought to justice and cannot move on to abuse other unsuspecting victims.”

April 2000

Serial child sex abuser whose reign of terror in Bradford spanned three decades

Robert Clark, of Gwynne Avenue, Thornton, Bradford, was branded “wicked in the extreme” by the judge who sentenced him to nine years in jail yesterday.

The 48-year-old had earlier pleaded guilty to six counts of indecent assault, two counts of indecency with a child and two other counts of another serious sex offence.

All the victims were aged between 12 and 16 at the time of the offences, which took place between the late 1970s and late 1990s.

Clark showed no emotion as he was led from the dock to the sound of applause and jeers from his victims and their families.

They had packed the public gallery at Bradford Crown Court to see the married father-of-two finally brought to justice.

One of his victims, 24-year-old Gerry Brady – who has waived his legal right to anonymity to tell the T&A of his nightmare – punched the air in delight at the verdict as he left the court.

The court head how Clark “groomed” his five young victims – four males and one female, all now adults – by making them watch pornographic videos.

They knew him as “Bobby”. He betrayed their trust by abusing them repeatedly and over a number of years – making them perform sex acts on themselves and on him.

On other occasions he took two of the boys to Manningham Park and Lister Park in Bradford and ordered them to wait in a toilet cubicle.

Clark then made them watch through a hole in the door as he performed homosexual acts with strangers.

Another of his victims was 14 when he invited her to sleep over at his house. He plied her with vodka before waking her up in the middle of night.

He told her “life is fun, it is a game, life is for living,” and then had unlawful sex with her.

The court heard how the trauma of the abuse took its toll on his victims. One even attempted to slash his wrists.

Passing sentence, Judge Rodney Grant told Clark: “What you did was wicked in the extreme. You took advantage of the trust placed in you by vulnerable children.

“You groomed them specifically so that you could corrupt them, and you corrupted children who were entitled to your protection.

“You have caused untold damage to their lives. And you did all this for your own sexual gratification.”

Clark will be eligible for parole in four-and-a-half years. He will be placed on the Sex Offender Register for life on his release from prison.

The string of offences first came to light in October last year. When Clark finally handed himself in to police four of the victims had already made statements.

When he was told a handful of victims had come forward he asked detectives “Can you tell me which ones have made complaints?”, adding he classed himself as the victim.

Clark, a quarry worker who has two children and a grandchild, claimed he was abused in care when he was young.

He told police he had a “vague memory” of his crimes. The court heard Clark tried to belittle the offences when questioned about them, saying they had started out as a joke.

Detective Inspector Steve Long of the Bradford Child Protection Unit, based at Eccleshill Police Station, today praised Clark’s victims for their courage in coming forward.

He said: “Robert Clark subjected a number of children to repeated, serious sexual abuse over a number of years.

“He knew all of the children and betrayed their trust in him. His abuse has had a profound effect on his victims and the police praise their courage in coming forward and making their complaints a number of years after the abuse.

“It is not uncommon for children to make their complaints many years later. This case illustrates the police will pursue all lines of inquiry in order to bring a prosecution – no matter how far back the offences date.”

February 2015

Teacher banned from schools for at least five years after admitting sex offences

A high school teacher has been told he cannot teach for at least five years following his conviction for two sex offences.

Karl Hogg, a former English teacher at Thorpe St Andrew School was given a three-year community order last year after he admitted two offences of voyeurism unconnected with the school.

The 48-year-old was last week the subject of a hearing by a professional conduct panel from the National College for Teaching and Leadership.

Mr Hogg did not attend, but the panel recommended that he should be prohibited from teaching in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England.

The final decision was made by Paul Heathcote, an official acting on behalf of education secretary Nicky Morgan. In a report published yesterday, he said: “The panel have recommended a prohibition order in order to maintain public confidence in the profession and to declare and uphold proper standards of conduct.”

Mr Hogg was convicted last February of installing equipment with the intention of observing another person without their consent, and of recording them, without their knowledge. The offences were unconnected with his professional position and did not involve pupils or colleagues.

He had been suspended from Thorpe St Andrew School after his initial arrest, and was dismissed following his conviction.

In the report, the panel said it took into account Mr Hogg’s previous good character and the many positive testimonials from former students at the school he had taught at since 2004. But it went on: “However his actions leading to the convictions were deliberate, involved planning, and took place over a prolonged period.”

The panel did not consider that Mr Hogg presented an ongoing risk to pupils, but said: “The offences were serious, which is reflected in the sentence imposed. The offences could undermine public confidence in the teaching profession and bring the profession into disrepute.”

Mr Hogg will be permitted to apply to have the prohibition order set aside after at least five years.

Without a successful application, he is prohibited from teaching indefinitely, but the panel concluded it was not necessary to impose a lifetime ban.

As part of his original sentence, he was required to sign the Sex Offenders Register for a period of five years until March 28 2019 and was ordered to participate in a sex offenders treatment programme.

February 2015

Convicted sex offender admits abducting a nine-year-old girl and attempting to rape her in an alleyway

Steven Partridge, 23, of York Road, Southend, showed no emotion as he admitted the sickening assault in Park Lane, near Park Street, Westcliff, when he appeared at Basildon Crown Court on Friday.

Partridge attacked the girl in an alleyway at 5pm on November 10. She was found by a passer-by and police were called.

A major manhunt took place with police taking the unprecedented step of naming Partridge and circulating his picture the day after the attack.

Essex Police’s Child Abuse Investigation Team tracked him down and questioned him.

It was revealed in court Partridge, whose partner is expecting a child, has previous convictions for sexual offences.

He had sex with a 13-year-old girl, and in 2007, when he was aged 15, he engaged in sexual activity with a 10-year-old girl.

It is not known how long Partridge had been living in Southend, but it is understood he had recently moved to Essex when he committed his latest crime.

Partridge wore red jogging bottoms, a black jumper and a necklace in the style of rosary beads, including the cross.

He was remanded in custody while pre-sentence reports are written, which will include an assessment of his danger to society.

Judge David Owen-Jones told Partridge: “You have sensibly pleaded guilty to these offences.

“That will allowyou full credit when the time comes to sentence you.”

The court heard Partridge had a social worker, who will help compile the reports.

He will be sentenced at Basildon Crown Court on March 19.

February 2015

Pervert wore high-vis jacket so girls would see him as he performed sex act in street

A pervert in a BMW convertible who targeted teenage girls was sentenced to a sex offender’s programme yesterday after a van driver wrote down his number.

Scaffolder Dean Richardson wore an orange high-visability jacket when he performed sex acts in front of girls on streets in Redcar and Normanby over a two-month period.

The 49-year-old had convictions for similar behaviour from 1992 and he had received help from the probation service which stopped his offending for a time.

But he said that he resumed his shocking offences again after problems with his girlfriend.

Prosecutor Harry Hadfield told Teesside Crown Court that Richardson said in interview that he wore his high-vis jacket because he wanted the girls to see him.

But one 16-year-old said in a victim impact statement that she was scared and shocked because she thought that she might get raped.

Richardson had 10 convictions for 18 offences marking similar behaviour in 1992, 1997, 2003 and 2007.

Brian Mark, defending, said that it was the first time that the defendant had been remanded in custody and it was the equivalent of two months.

Mr Mark added: “He pleaded guilty on the very first occasion when he was arrested, and he volunteered having committed some offences which had not even been reported to the police.

“He tells me that he never wants to go back to prison again, and you cannot underestimate the power that a short prison stay has in stopping him behaving in this way.

“The assistance that he could get together with his memory of being in prison would give him the opportunity to function.”

CCTV of the suspect police were looking for

Mr Mark said that a psychiatrist had identified that the suicide of Richardson’s father when he was 13 was still ungrieved by him and it had contributed to his behaviour.

He added that Richardson and the public would benefit if the defendant was given a suspended sentence and a sexual offender’s treatment programme.

“That would help him to keep his job and his mortgaged home, and the suspended sentence would be a Sword of Damocles hanging over him,” he said.

The judge, Recorder Eric Elliott QC, told Richardson: “I take the view that there is very little dispute that you were targeting young girls.

“You are clearly a hardworking man and you have had a taste of custody.

“I have to decide what is not only the best for you but for the public in that there is a high risk of offending behaviour.”

Richardson, of Thomas Street, Skelton, was given a 16-month jail sentence, suspended for two years with supervision and attendance on the Northumbria Sex Offender’s Treatment programme.

He admitted four charges of offending public decency and he asked for three similar offences to be taken into consideration.

February 2015

Pervert spared jail after downloading and distributing vile child abuse images and films

A FATHER caught with indecent films of children under the influence of drugs and alcohol, and others where they “appeared to be in pain”, has been spared jail.

Daniel Smirk, 24, of Dalwood Close, Bransholme, was found with almost 850 indecent images and movies after intelligence was passed to Humberside Police and he was traced through his internet protocol (IP) address.

He admitted seven offences relating to the possession and distribution of indecent still and moving images of children between October 24, 2009, and October 30, 2013.

A total of 552 indecent photographs were recovered from an Acer Aspire computer, including 93 at Category A, the most serious level, 131 at Category B and 328 at Category C.

Two Category A indecent films were found on the same computer.

Smirk downloaded a further 148 indecent films, 100 of which were at Category A, and had 77 indecent images and 67 films on a USB memory device.

He was also found to have distributed 17 indecent images to other paedophiles he contacted by email.

Hull Crown Court heard the images and films were of between 200 and 250 different children being abused. They were between the ages of one and 14.

All but six were of boys and most were aged between eight and 12.

Some of the pictures and recordings were “staged in studios”, while others took place in a “home setting”, the court was told.

Smirk’s home was searched on October 30 and he made “substantial admissions” during police interview, the court heard.

He said he was “curious about the stage when boys reach puberty”.

But Stephen Welch, prosecuting, said that did not correspond with the age of many of the victims being abused in the images.

The court also heard he “tried to stop because of his son”.

Smirk had no previous convictions.

Paul Norton, defending, said Smirk was a “young man who lives with his mother and brother”.

“He has made them aware [of the offences] and shocked as they are, he enjoys their support.”

Judge Graham Robinson ordered Smirk to attend the Northumbria Sex Offenders Treatment Programme for three years.

He was made subject to a five-year sexual offences prevention order, and must sign the sex offenders register for five years.

February 2015

Pensioner admits sexually assaulting girl, 14, on Exmouth train following CCTV appeal

A pensioner has admitted sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl after he followed her off a train at a seaside resort

Christopher Fitzhugh was traced when CCTV from the train was released to the media showing him just minutes before the assault at Exmouth Station.

The girl, who has learning difficulties, was visiting the town by train from her home in North Devon in July last year when she was approached by 66-year-old Fitzhugh

He admitted sexually assaulting her after the prosecution dropped more serious charges of abduction and false imprisonment.

The girl had been due to give evidence at Exeter Crown Court with the help of a trained psychologist who was to have acted as an intermediary and made sure she understood what she was being asked.

Judge Francis Gilbert, QC, congratulated the prosecution on their decision to accept Fitzhugh’s plea, which spares the victim the ordeal of going into the witness box.

Fitzhugh, of Bridge Road, Exmouth, admitted sexual assault on the 14-year-old on July 13 last year. His case was adjourned for sentence in April and he was ordered to sign onto the sex offenders’ register immediately.

He walked into court unsteadily with the help of a stick and was said to have problems with his health.

Judge Gilbert adjourned the case for pre sentence reports and bailed Fitzhugh on conditions including a ban on entering any railway station, travelling on any train, and visiting parts of North Devon where the victim lives.

He said:”The approach of the prosecution is entirely sensible and very much the outcome I was hoping to achieve. It seems to be the count of sexual assault covers the whole case.

“It also has the desirable result that the unfortunate victim will not have to give evidence. It also makes it a great deal easier to take into account the defendant’s own difficulties if he has admitted what he has done.

“All sentencing options will be open but it may be a case where first and foremost the probation officer will be looking at ways of helping him not to fall into this sort of temptation again.”

Miss Bathsheba Cassel, prosecuting, said the Crown is likely to be asking for a Sexual Offences Prevention Order at the next hearing.

Mr Gareth Evans, defending, said Fitzhugh has been out of trouble all his adult life and would benefit from the probation service preparing a pre sentence report.

February 2015

Reporting restrictions overturned as paedophile gets suspended jail sentence

AN unemployed man who was found with a huge collection of indecent images when police raided his home has been given a suspended jail sentence.

Andrew Florides, 31, of Thames Road, Billingham, had more than 11,000 indecent images of children stored in a computer tower.

Teesside Crown Court heard the tower and an external hard drive also contained a total of 713 movie clips.

Children in the videos ranged from age three to 17 and were depicted in sexual activities with adults.

Florides admitted making and possessing indecent images between October 2010 and January 2014 as a result of the police raid in January last year.

He had been bullied at school for being overweight and suffered from low self esteem and depression.

Florides came from a Greek Cypriot family and was said to have been brought up with strict morals and the offences – to which he had pleaded guilty to at the first opportunity – had shocked his entire family.

He had begun looking at pornographic images when he was 16 or 17 years old and his viewing had ebbed and flowed since then.

The court heard how he had been offered a job at an airport and was prepared to undertake a course aimed at addressing his sexual offending if he was spared jail.

Judge Tony Briggs discharged a court order barring identification of the defendant following representations from prosecutor Harry Hadfield and The Northern Echo.

The judge gave Florides, who had been seeking counselling because of his attraction to minors, an 18 month jail sentence, suspended for two years. He will have to sign the sex offenders register and will be subject to a sexual offences prevention order.

The computer items were ordered to be forfeited and destroyed.

February 2015

Children’s care home worker jailed after admitting child abduction & indecent images

A care worker from Sutton Coldfield has been jailed for six months for abducting a child from the city care home where he worked.

Matthew Thomas, from Welford Road, pleaded guilty to child abduction and possession of indecent images at Birmingham Crown Court today.

The 37-year-old was arrested by Suffolk Police in April 2014 after being found in a hotel room with two teenage boys even though there was a Child Abduction Notice against him in respect of one of the boys.

At Birmingham Crown Court he admitted befriending and grooming a teenage boy at the care home in which he worked until his dismissal in 2013.

Analysis of Thomas’s mobile phone also revealed several indecent images.

Detective Constable Graeme Erskine, from the force’s Public Protection Unit, said: “This was an investigation in which West Midlands Police and Birmingham Children’s Services worked together to bring Mr Thomas to justice.”

A recent campaign launched by councils in the West Midlands aims to raise the awareness of child sexual exploitation with a website full of information and advice.

For more information visit: www.seeme-hearme.org.uk .

February 2015

Pervert met up with 14-year-old at supermarket before taking her to secluded area

A PREDATORY paedophile met up with his victim in a supermarket car park before taking her off to a secluded area of town, a court heard.

John-Paul Graham, of Great Bolton Street, Blackburn, had preyed on the vulnerable teenager even though he had been warned by police to keep away from her.

Officers had served the 27-year-old kickboxer with a child abduction warning notice because of concerns they had about his behaviour. But he ignored it and still tried to meet up with the 14-year-old, who was in care and had been reported as missing, prosecutors said.

They carried out hotspot inquiries and came across the defendant on the Aldi car park, near Barbara Castle Way, the court heard.

After the hearing, DS Mark Whelan said: “He was observed to meet the child and then walk to a secluded area in Blackburn with her, which is when he was arrested.”

Officers checked Graham’s telephone call history and found he had been contacting the girl for a while. They also found her underwear when they searched his room at the Islington Motel.

Graham pleaded guilty to non-penetrative sexual activity with a child and two counts of child abduction.

He was sentenced to 27 months in prison when he appeared at Preston Crown Court.

He was also put on the Sex Offender Register for life, made subject to a sexual offences prevention order until further order, and given a barring order.

DS Whelan said the victim is now receiving support from the engage team, which is based at Greenbank Police Station, Blackburn. The team was set up as a multi-agency partnership in March 2008 to address child sexual exploitation in Blackburn and Darwen.

DS Whelan said: “Graham is an opportunist offender who can only be described as a predator after he failed to take account of the police warning notice.

“We tried to protect her from him by issuing the notice but he still arranged to meet up with her in the street. He chose to ignore the warning notice. He tried to blame the activities on the child, which clearly the court disagreed with.

“This case shows the proactive work the child sexual exploitation and engage teams do.”

February 2015

British paedophile persuaded girl aged 5 to perform sex act on him during Skype call with FBI

A vile British paedophile has been jailed after he was caught in an FBI sting abusing a young girl live over the internet.

Michael Spencer, 48, made contact with the undercover FBI agent based in Virginia, USA, through a shadowy online chatroom.

After exchanging details, he went on to speak to the man on Skype – unaware that he was a US law enforcement official.

To the agent’s horror, perverted Spencer persuaded a five-year-old girl to perform a sex act on him live on Skype.

The shocking incident last August was video recorded by the FBI, who traced him to an address 4,000 miles away in Skegness, Lincs.

Officers knocked on Spencer’s door just days later and arrested him on suspicion ofabusing the traumatised youngster.

They seized computer and mobile phone equipment which showed he had been distributing indecent photographs of children.

Spencer admitted charges of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and inciting child pornography relating to the five-year-old.

He further admitted sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl together with possessing, making and distributing indecent images of children.

Recorder Nicholas Syfret QC jailed him on Monday for 12 years and nine months at Lincoln Crown Court and ordered him to remain on licence at risk of being returned to jail until 2031.

He told Spencer “These were monstrous offences. I have no hesitation in finding that you are dangerous.”

February 2015

Pervert who groomed three under-age schoolgirls jailed 

A sex offender who groomed three underage schoolgirls to satisfy his perverted desires has been jailed for more than three years.

Neil Davie, 43, befriended the vulnerable girls, then sexually assaulted them, tried to coax them into sexual acts and offered one money to strip for him.

The girls, who cannot be named for legal reasons, resisted his advances, Teesside Crown Court heard today.

A judge, Recorder Eric Elliott QC, told Davie: “You in my view deliberately targeted each of those girls, indeed groomed them to gratify your sexual desires.

“Over a period of one year you carried out these offences.

“When each of the girls at various stages indicated that they objected to the various types of behaviour you were indulging in, you pretended it was just a joke.”

He befriended one of the girls on the internet via social media and, in his most serious offence, tried to persuade her to take part in a sexual act. She objected and refused and no sexual activity took place, the court was told.

This crime earned Davie a 32-month prison sentence alone – the majority of his jail term.

He touched her, asked her to touch him, asked her to send him a photograph of herself in her underwear, and cuddled her to make his activity appear innocent. “Clearly it wasn’t,” said the judge.

Davie suggested to another girl that he buy her a thong for her to pose in it for him.

He asked one of the girls to make “sexual noises”, kiss him and wear short skirts and dresses.

He sexually assaulted the girls by smacking their bottoms over their clothing. When told to stop, he said it was only a joke.

He offered one of the girls money to strip naked, but she refused.

Prosecutor Sarah Mallett said Davie was confronted on social media, told his actions were “disgusting” and warned to stay away.

He replied: “I apologise. It was only meant as a joke. I have a weird humour.” The police were called the same day.

Davie, of Cleveland Street, Guisborough, admitted a total of 14 sexual offences. They were six counts of sexual assault, five or causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, two of attempting to pay a child for sexual services and one of possessing an indecent photograph of a child.

To police and even to a probation officer after guilty pleas, he maintained he regarded it as a joke.

In the courtroom facing prison, however, he appeared to realise the seriousness of his crimes.

Andrew White, defending, said: “He is remorseful about what’s happened and, through me, he wishes to apologise sincerely to these girls and their families.

“It’s clear he was extremely distressed when these matters were put to him in the police station. He was in tears.

“He does recognise the magnitude of this. He also recognises that he has a problem in relation to young girls, and he realises that this a problem that needs addressing.”

Mr White said the warehouseman had no previous convictions and worked hard all his life.

He said Davie had diabetes and had suffered a stroke and would be vulnerable in prison because of his “small stature” and risk of self harm. He argued prison would expose Davie to “malign influences” from more experienced sex offenders, and a suspended sentence with a treatment programme would better serve the public.

The judge passed a series of immediate prison sentences totalling three years and eight months.

Davie was given a sexual offences prevention order and will be on the sex offenders’ register, both indefinitely, and will be banned from working with children and vulnerable adults.

February 2015

Paedophile spent hours looking at thousands of images of babies and young children being abused

A 61-year-old bakery manager who would spend hours trawling through thousands of obscene images of babies and young children being abused was jailed for 30 months yesterday.

The horrific details of some of the worst photos and videos were told to Inverness Sheriff Court last month when sentence was deferred on Christopher Woodfine, of Athlone, 57 King Street, Nairn.

He had admitted possessing the images stored on computer equipment at his home between January, 2012 and April, 2014.

In total, he had 13,254 still images and 102 videos.

Of these, 658 pictures and 39 videos were of the worst in the scale of depravity.

Fiscal depute Roderick Urquhart described some of content which Sheriff Margaret Neilson said “was truly horrific.”

She told the first offender: “These are not victimless crimes and your behaviour took place over two years, A custodial sentence is the only appropriate way of dealing with this. You will also be placed on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.”

Defending Neil Wilson said; “He can’t explain this bizarre behaviour. He is in a stable relationship and has a supportive wife. He can only think he was under stress at the time doing long hours and night shifts.

“He got no sexual gratification out of them, but he would spend hours at a time looking at image after image. There are victims this and he is only beginning to realise the damage done in cases like this.

“He has been assessed as unlikely to re-offend and is perplexed and horrified by his obsessive behaviour.”

February 2015

Padgate man admits three charges of child abduction

A PADGATE man, who groomed a schoolgirl has pleaded guilty to three charges of child abduction.

Jamie Thorpe, aged 35, of Vulcan Close, was expected to stand trial for three offences of meeting a child following sexual grooming.

But on the day of the trial, the charges were dropped and he instead admitted to three child abduction charges at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday.

The court heard how Thorpe and the teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, met online in October 2013 over their shared interest in gaming and football – later exchanging numbers.

Prosecuting, Andrew Downie, said: “By his own admission, when interviewed, he accepts he knew very early on that she was 14.

“The exchanges became increasingly romantic and they eventually led to three meetings.”

The defendant took the then 14-year old on three dates – twice to the cinema in St Helens and once to McDonalds in Huyton.

Their relationship came to light when the girl jumped in a taxi to meet up with Thorpe for the third time.

It was during the journey to the cinema she told the driver that she was going to meet a older man, which sparked concern.

The taxi driver alerted the police who called her family.

Her sister was able to get in touch with the girl who she asked to immediately leave the cinema which she did.

Thorpe was then arrested and the girl’s mobile phone was examined.

Although there were no sexually explicit messages, there were messages containing what was described as ‘expressions of love’.

One of the messages revealed that the girl regretted not kissing him but he replied she would when she was ready.

She sent him a photograph showing her in a family group and he showed it to friends explaining she was his girlfriend.

The court also heard how they had agreed to wait until she was aged 16 or 18 to tell her parents about their friendship.

Judge Denis Watson, QC, adjourned sentencing until March 13 so that a pre-sentence report could be prepared. 

February 2015

Sex predator who targeted young girls is jailed for 17 years

A Birmingham man has been jailed for 17 years after he was convicted of historic sex offences.

John Franks, of Blandford Road, Quinton, was found guilty by a jury at Birmingham Crown Court of six counts of indecent assault, four of sexual assault against a child under 13 and four counts of rape against two victims, who were aged between 11 and 18, between 1990 and 2009.

Franks, 69, was arrested in March 2013 when the first allegations were first made against him.

Det Con Vicky Kelleher, of West Midlands Police’s public protection unit, said: “The trial of John Franks was a traumatic experience for his victims and I would like to praise their courage in coming forward.

“One of the victims told us she contacted police because she wanted to ensure this didn’t happen to anyone else.

“The effects of what this man did to them will have a lasting effect, but the knowledge that he is now behind bars will, I hope, go some way to helping them recover.”

Det Con Kelleher added: “We will always take reports of sexual abuse seriously – and victims needn’t worry that offences occurred many years ago because, as cases like this show, we can still build compelling cases against offenders.

“I would urge anyone who has suffered abuse, no matter how long ago, to contact West Midlands Police so we can investigate.”

West Midlands Police’s Public Protection Unit can be contacted on 101.

The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC) can be contacted on 0808 801 0331 and http://www.napac.org.uk