March 2015

Weatherman Fred Talbot jailed for five years for indecent assault on two schoolboys

TV weatherman Fred Talbot has been jailed for five years for indecently assaulting two schoolboys when he was a teacher.

Talbot, 65, a regular on the floating weather map in Liverpool’s Albert Dock for ITV’s top rating This Morning show, was described at his trial as a “chancer” who used his “boundless energy” and “extrovert personality” to gain the affection and trust of his victims.

Talbot, who was cleared of assaulting three other boys, was sentenced by Judge Timothy Mort at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court.

The judge told Talbot: “You deliberately and indecently assaulted the two of them for your own gratification.”

Talbot, who sat in the dock wearing glasses and a purple jumper over a shirt and grey trousers, showed no emotion as he was jailed.

He appeared relaxed as he entered the dock and acknowledged people in the packed courtroom.

Suzanne Goddard QC, defending, said there was little that could be said in mitigation.

She said Talbot had lost a stone in weight during his time in custody but was “accustoming himself” to life in jail.

Ms Goddard said: “He knows he must now receive a custodial sentence. He has come to terms with that.”

The jury at last month’s trial heard that Talbot was “obsessed” with teenage boys throughout his teaching career and “could not help himself” around them when under the influence of drink.

Among the prosecution witnesses at the trial were The Stone Roses’ singer Ian Brown who said Talbot gave masturbation practice as homework.

Prosecutors said Talbot’s modus operandi was to first establish his “good guy credentials” and then to break down the proper teacher-pupil boundaries, leaving his victims confused as he made his advances.

Talbot, of Bowdon, Greater Manchester, was convicted of two counts of indecent assault in relation to two complainants and cleared of eight counts of indecent assault in relation to three other complainants.

Four of the complainants were teenage pupils at Altrincham Grammar School for Boys, where Talbot taught biology, while the other attended a high school in Gateshead when the defendant was at teacher training college.

The science teacher denied anything sexual or even inappropriate occurred between himself and the Altrincham pupils, while he said sexual activity with the Gateshead complainant only happened when the boy turned 16.

Both of Talbot’s victims were assaulted on school canal barge trips in the Cheshire area in the mid 1970s.

The first victim, who thought he was 14 at the time, said the teacher abused him after a mock naked orgy involving up to 10 boys and Talbot.

Talbot told him to share a bed with him as there were not enough bunk beds to go round and performed a sex act on him.

It emerged that he had previously reported the weatherman to police on four separate occasions dating back to 1992 but no action had been taken.

The second victim, who also thought he may have been aged 14 at the time, was abused on another barge trip in similar circumstances.

He said that boys would take turns to sleep in Talbot’s bed during the trip and when it was his turn the defendant “started talking to me about sexual stuff” before indecently assaulting him.

The complainant said when he was aged in his late 20s he wrote to ITV Granada to tell them Talbot had abused him.

The court heard that Talbot’s teaching career came to “an abrupt end” in May 1984 following an indecent proposal he made to two pupils at his home.

He offered his bed for the night to the 15-year-old boys and said to them: “Make sure you leave room for me in the middle.”

Following the verdicts, it can be reported that a number of similar complaints against Talbot about offences said to have been committed in Scotland have been passed by police to the Procurator Fiscal.

Edinburgh-born Talbot moved at the age of seven to Sale, Greater Manchester, and later studied A-levels at Sale Grammar School.

After a spell at teacher training college in the Newcastle area he joined Altrincham Grammar School in 1974.

He resigned in disgrace in 1984 and went into television a short time later, with one of his first jobs on a Saturday morning children’s show.

The investigation was triggered in December 2012 following publicity into a separate historic abuse inquiry at another Altrincham school, St Ambrose College, which led to a nine-year jail term for ex-teacher Alan Morris.

March 2015

Cleaner jailed for raping an 11-year-old girl

A 25-year-old cleaner has been jailed for seven years after raping a girl.

Adam Telford, of Connaught Road, Littlehampton, was found guilty of raping a girl under 13.

He was sentenced at Chichester Crown Court.

Telford had known his 11-year-old victim for “some time” according to police.

Detective Constable John Dudley said; “Telford took advantage of his access to a vulnerable young girl and it is good that he has now faced justice.”

March 2015

Barnsley man jailed for sexual activity with 12-year-old schoolgirl

A 21-year-old Barnsley man has been jailed for three and a half years for grooming and committing sexual activity with a child.

Andrew Gosling, Masons Way, Kendray, admitted inciting sexual activity and three counts of sexual activity with a child under 16.

South Yorkshire Police began investigating Gosling after the parents of a 12-year-old girl raised concerns that their daughter had become secretive. They suspected she was being contacted by Gosling.

The investigation uncovered that, over a two-year period, Gosling had repeatedly contacted the girl through internet messaging.

Gosling admitted to inciting sexual activity and engaging in sexual activity with the child after originally meeting her in 2012 when she was 12 years old. The girl is now 15.

Acting Detective Inspector Heather Stocks said: “This case highlights the importance of spotting the signs of child sexual exploitation. The parents’ vigilance in recognising the signs ensured that this offence could be investigated and the perpetrator brought to justice.

“I hope that the sentence today can ensure that the girl and her family can begin to rebuild their lives and we will continue to provide any support that they require.”

March 2015

Paedophile banned from going on-line jailed for 16 months after breaching order

A paedophile who breached a banning order by downloading child abuse images has been jailed for 16 months.

Philip Hughes, 30, was charged with making indecent images of children and breaching a sexual offences order, which meant he should not access the internet and download child abuse images

The order was made in June 2010 but officers found more indecent images on his Asus laptop since then.

Hughes, of Trotters Field, Braintree, was due to be sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court in November but officers needed more time to search the computer.

He was remanded in custody until his sentencing at the court on 9 March.

He admitted breaching the sexual offences order and two counts of making indecent images of children.

March 2015

Paedophile council manager gets £30k redundancy payout after failing to tell bosses about his conviction

A high-flying council officer who pleaded guilty to downloading images of child sexual abuse received an estimated £30,000 redundancy payout after failing to tell his bosses he had been arrested, it has emerged.

Cardiff council’s senior managers were astonished to learn earlier this week that Mike Davies, 52, had appeared at Cardiff Crown Court, where he admitted three charges of possessing more than 2,000 images of children being sexually abused.

Among the still and moving images were depictions of children as young as five being forced to have sex with adults.

He also pleaded guilty to possessing pictures of sexual images involving animals.

The material was discovered on his computer following a raid last June on the home in Llantrisant he shared with his partner and a four-year-old child. Recently he has been living at an address in Caerphilly.

He escaped a prison sentence and was sentenced to a three-year community and treatment order during which he will undertake a three-year therapy course to cure his “weird obsessions”.

Davies will be on the Sex Offenders Register for five years.

We have established that Davies received a severance package from Cardiff council as recently as last month.

Because he is under 55 he was not entitled to an enhanced early retirement payment. But because of his decades-long long service he is likely to have received the maximum payout available to an officer of his age of around £30,000.

Davies was titled variously clerk to the council, head of service, head of scrutiny and head of performance and improvement.

A Cardiff council spokesman said: “Mr Davies’ post was deleted as part of this year’s budget savings. We want to reiterate in the strongest terms that senior management was unaware of any criminal proceedings against him until the day of his conviction.

“The organisation is appalled that Mr Davies failed to reveal the criminal investigation to the council at any point. The City of Cardiff Council is taking legal advice on this matter and considering what steps it can take going forward.”

March 2015

South Shields pervert jailed after sexually assaulting 13-year-old girl in a tent

A pervert has been jailed after sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl in a tent.

Sick Raymond Craig went into the tent the girl was sharing with her friend at a camping site in South Tyneside.

The 59-year-old lay down beside the terrified teen and began cuddling her, kissing her neck and rubbing his hands over her body.

Newcastle Crown Court heard Craig then went on to sexually assault the girl, as her pal lay oblivious beside.

Now Craig, of Arthington Way, South Shields, has been jailed for five years and 11 months after admitting sexual assault by penetration on a girl under 13.

The court heard had initially denied the charge but changed his plea when police found internet search records on his phone showing he had an abnormal attraction to teenage girls.

Matthew Donkin, prosecuting, said the offence happened on August 16 last year.

He said: “The defendant got into the tent and lay down beside the two girls. He gave them both cuddles. He then started rubbing the legs and back of the injured party.

“He put his hands up her top and down her underwear.”

Craig then went on to further sexually assault the teen before leaving the tent.

The attack only came to light, when the girl returned home and her mother noticed a love bite on her neck.

Mr Donkin added: “ Following that, she broke down in front of her mother and told her what had happened to her over the weekend.”

In a victim personal statement read to the court, the girl said she hadn’t been coping since the attack and suffered from flashbacks.

Mr Donkin said: “She finds it very difficult as she doesn’t wish to show her family she’s upset.”

Gavin Doig, mitigating, said: “This is a man of previous good character.

“He’s worked hard all his life and he held a responsible position. There’s a lot of good in this man. It’s a great shame he behaved in this way and now must go to custody.”

Sentencing Craig to five years and 11 months in prison, Judge John Milford QC said: “It’s clear from the pre-sentence you have no acceptance of what you did and say you don’t remember what happened.

“You don’t accept your abnormal interest in teenager girls.”

Craig was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.

March 2015

Man jailed for 15 years for ‘shocking and depraved’ rapes and assault

A GWENT sex offender was jailed for 15 years for seven offences against two young female victims including rape, attempted rape and assault.

Terence Absalom, 23, was sentenced at Newport Crown Court for three counts of rape, one count of attempted rape, two counts of assault causing actual bodily harm and one count of unlawful wounding. He admitted all seven charges.

The court heard how Absalom, whose last registered address was Parc Prison but has lived in the Newport and Torfaen areas, was an “intelligent man” but used his intelligence to manipulate his victims.

Judge Philip Richards gave Absalom an extended sentence of 15 years for each of the three rapes, to be served concurrently. He also sentenced Absalom to seven years for the attempted rape, 16 months for unlawful wounding and 14 months each for the assaults – all to be served concurrently.

Prosecutor Tracey Lloyd-Nesling told the court how Absalom slammed the head of one of his victims into the wall of a bedroom before raping her as she slipped in and out of consciousness.

He punched the victim, who was just 16 at the time, and said, “Do you really want to see the sick side of me?” before telling her he would kill her if she screamed.

On another occasion, he swung her mobile phone into her face, splitting her eyebrow open which needed several stitches. He then begged her to lie and say she hit her head on a cabinet.

Ms Lloyd-Nesling, prosecuting, also told told the court of Absalom’s attacks on another woman. In August last year she was out socialising with a friend when Absalom followed her into the ladies’ toilets, hitting her head against the wall.

Then on another night, the court heard how Absalom picked up the second victim and slammed her on to the floor. He ordered her to perform sex acts before raping her, having to pause while she was physically sick and suffered a nosebleed.

A victim statement to the court read: “The impact he has had over my life is overwhelming. Each day I thank God I’m still alive. Work is my salvation. At work I can put on my mask.

“I am pleased he has finally admitted what he is, a woman beater and a rapist.”

Absalom was also given a restraining order, added to the Sex Offenders Register and ordered to pay a victim surcharge.

After the hearing, Detective Constable Martyn Coombe said: “Absalom’s actions were shocking and depraved, he took advantage of his victims and subjected them to ordeals which will live with them for the rest of their lives.

“I would like to pay tribute the victim’s bravery in reporting these incidents and helping to bring a dangerous offender to justice.”

“We are committed to bringing those who have committed such offences before the courts and will support victims in every possible way throughout the process.”

March 2015

Sex ‘predator’ teacher jailed for sex offences on Stoke-on-Trent schoolboys

A RETIRED teacher has been jailed for sexually abusing pupils on school trips decades ago.

Pensioner Gerald Turner was teaching at Woodhouse Junior School, in Longton, when he abused the boys.

In one incident, the 76-year-old indecently assaulted a boy in a tent at a camp.

The same pupil was further assaulted on another trip along with another boy.

Now Turner, from Trent Vale, has been jailed for two years at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court after his victims came forward.

Judge David Fletcher told Turner: “You did this for your own sexual gratification. This was a gross breach of trust.”

It is understood Turner had connections with a number of schools in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.

Following yesterday’s court case, City Councillor Gwen Hassall, cabinet member for social services, said: “Turner was a predatory individual who committed these sick crimes.

“Our thoughts are with the victims and their families.

“We do not tolerate such behaviour and having worked closely with safeguarding colleagues and the police, swift action was taken as soon as the allegations came to light.”

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard Turner performed a number of sex acts on the same boy during school trips. He also performed a sex act on a second boy.

Prosecutor Trevor Meegan said: “He told him it was ‘their little secret’.

It is understood another police force is also investigating a separate complaint against Turner.

The court heard the abuse had a profound effect on both victims. One turned to drink and drugs and has mood swings. The other talks of being ‘subjected to a life of hiding’.

Turner, of Riverside Road, Trent Vale, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to three charges of indecent assault.

Anthony Longworth, mitigating, acknowledged the offending was serious. Turner has lived a life of public and community service and volunteers in his church.

Mr Longworth said: “He recognised what he was doing was for his own sexual gratification. He was frank and forthcoming with the police. He named other boys with whom he had behaved in a similar way. He feels a considerable degree of remorse for what he has done to the boys.”

Judge David Fletcher said the offending was aggravated as the children were targeted and there were two separate victims.

The judge told Turner: “You were by all accounts a respected teacher in this city with some responsibility for religious and sex education within the primary setting in which you worked.

“You involved yourself with these two boys explaining to them this was born out of a concern you had for them going through puberty and the effect that might have on them.

“That was a warped thought pattern. You were in this for your own gratification. There is no doubt whatsoever that the effect of your behaviour on these two now adult men has been serious and in some respects catastrophic.

“Both live with the consequences of your behaviour towards them. It has affected them in just about every aspect of their life.

“This was a gross breach of trust. You were a teacher in a primary school who had these boys in your care in the absence of their parents.”

February 2006

Care abduction couple are jailed

A couple from Flintshire who admitted abducting two children in care and fleeing to Europe have been jailed.

Kevin Terry Jones, 33, who was earlier convicted of a series of sexual offences against children, was jailed for a total of six-and-a-half years.

His partner Paula MacKenzie Sears, 22, was jailed for six months and given a concurrent sentence for the false imprisonment of a social worker.

Mold Crown Court heard the pair were on the run for two weeks.

The court was told Jones had been due to stand trial last September on a string of charges of sex offences involving a child which was not one of those involved in the abduction.

But before the trial took place he and his partner Sears abducted two children from the care of Flintshire social services.

Sears also admitted a charge of falsely imprisoning a social worker during the abduction.

The court heard that the couple fled to Spain via France and also spent some time at EuroDisney in Paris before contacting North Wales Police by phone, two weeks after the abduction.

They were found in Spain where they were arrested and brought back to Britain.

Jones stood trial earlier this month and was convicted of 10 offences including three of attempted rape of a child.

On the abduction charges, Judge John Rogers QC said: “When a court order made to protect children is blatantly breached by the children being abducted and taken abroad a sentence of imprisonment is inevitable.

“In this case there were aggravating features.”

Of the sexual offences the judge told Jones: “You carried out persistent and prolonged sexual abuse of a child.”

February 2015

Kick-boxing instructor jailed for abusing schoolgirl

A perverted kick-boxing instructor from Burton-upon-Trent who sexually abused a 13-year-old girl in Nottinghamshire has been jailed

Richard Higgs appeared at Derby Crown Court and pleaded guilty to two counts of inciting a child aged under 14-years-old to engage in sexual activity and two counts of possession of indecent images of children

The judge jailed Higgs for four years and eight months imprisonment, of which he must serve a minimum of three years

Higgs was placed on a sexual offences prevention order for an indefinite period

He was also issued with a child barring order – This was given to prevent him from working in any capacity with children

December 1983

Paedophile jailed for sexually abusing schoolgirl

Photo above dated ‘June 2014′

A paedophile has been jailed for the systematic and prolonged sexual abuse of a young schoolgirl

Lorry driver David Ernest Pratt of Sheldon Road, Horfield was found guilty at Bristol Crown Court and was sentenced to six years imprisonment

The court heard that the abuse took place between 1974 and 1983 starting when the victim was just 12-years-old

The pervert was finally exposed after the victim confided in a friend that she was being abused after participating in a sexual education lesson in school

Note: In November 1992, Pratt’s 22-year-old HIV-positive son Tony Dimond was jailed for having sex with a 13-year-old girl up to four times a day for five months

September 2014

Perverted children’s activity centre instructor jailed

A children’s activity centre instructor has been jailed for nine months after pleading guilty to sexually abusing two young boys

Instructor Adam Craig Sills (35) pleaded guilty to sexual assaulting two schoolboys at the Govilon Activity Centre located at the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park

Prosecution told Northampton Crown court that the offences dated back to 2012. Sills finally admitted the offences in July of this year.

During the trial, the court heard that the 10-year-old boys were on a week long school trip to Wales when the abuse took place. Although Sills had pleaded guilty to abusing two boys, it was suspected he had molested others.

Sills was placed on a sexual offences prevention order and ordered to sign the sex offenders register

He was also given an order to prevent him from working with children in the future

March 2008

Pervert jailed for child sex offences

An evil pervert is today behind bars after admitting a string of sickening sex attacks on a child.

Twisted Ipswich man Dean Polley pleaded guilty to three counts of raping a child under 13-year-old and also admitted a further charge of causing a minor to watch a sexual act.

The 32-year-old, of Hossack Road in the Gainsborough estate, was jailed by a judge at Norwich Crown Court for a minimum of four years.

And he was told he would not be considered for release until he was no longer deemed a danger to the public.

Polley was also ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register and was told he could never work with children.

His shocking crimes began in May 2004 and only came to an end when detectives at Suffolk police were alerted in August 2007.

The former labourer was arrested and brought before magistrates in Ipswich on August 18 last year.

He pleaded guilty to the charges on February 15 and was sentenced earlier this month.

During the hearing, the judge told Polley it was one of the worst cases of its kind he had dealt with.

A Gainsborough resident today described Polley as “a bit strange”, but admitted they had been appalled when the murky details of his offending emerged.

The resident said: “Everyone is shocked. No one thought he was capable of this. It’s disgusting.”

September 2010

Dagenham Caretaker jailed over child abuse images plot

AN assistant school caretaker who planted child abuse images on his boss’s computer to get him sacked was jailed for 12 years.

Neil Weiner, 39, of Rainham Road North, Dagenham, framed married 61 year-old Edward Thompson in the hope of getting a promotion.

The plot led to Mr Thompson’s arrest and his face being splashed on the front of his local newspaper in east London.

He was spat at in the street, forced out of his home and continues to be shunned even now the truth has emerged.

Weiner was convicted of perverting the course of justice and two counts of possessing child abuse images after a trial at the Old Bailey.

Judge David Paget QC said the caretaker’s behaviour was ‘wicked’. Adding: ‘Your reason seems to have been simply that you didn’t like him.’

The court heard Mr Thompson had worked at Swanlea secondary school in Whitechapel, east London, since 1993.

The Scot, who used to work for the BBC, admitted: ‘I have a reputation of being exceedingly grumpy, bad tempered and irascible and I admit that is what I am.’

Weiner started at the school in 2005 and had only been there a year when he began planning to get rid of his boss.

In June 2006, at a barbecue with friends, he told them he was going to download child abuse images and place it on Thompson’s computer.

Weiner was known as a ‘computer wizard’ and managed to find out Mr Thompson’s password while helping him out with his computer.

Weiner then made several anonymous calls to police and sent them a CD of indecent images, implicating his boss.

Mr Thompson was stunned when a ‘posse of coppers’ turned up on his doorstep to arrest him. His home was searched and 234 images were found on his laptop.

In January 2007 Weiner tipped off the East London Advertiser and the story was splashed on the front page.

Mr Thompson had to wait eight months before being informed no further action would be taken and he was allowed to return to work.

Weiner was arrested on July 4, 2007 and claimed he was being ‘victimised’.

He denied perverting the course of justice and two charges of possession of indecent photographs of children.

On Thursday September 23 Weiner was jailed for 12 years for perverting the course of justice, and five years concurrent for possession of indecent photos.

February 2015

Convicted rapist, already serving a life sentence, has been jailed for an additional five years

At the High Court in Glasgow, Gordon Burns, 52, was found guilty of raping a 13-year-old girl and sexually abusing a second girl between the age of five and 11.

The offences took place in various locations between 1986 and 1996.

They only came to light in 2012, more than 20 years later, after one victim contacted police.

The court heard that Burns raped the 13-year-old girl at a dirt track near Biggar, Lanarkshire, in October 1986 and March 1987.

The victim, now aged 41, told how she became “panicky” when he drove down the quiet road.

She told prosecutor Shanti Maguire: “He then put the knife to my throat and raped me.

“He basically told me: ‘You’re going to work as a prostitute for me. You do as I want or you’ll end up in the bottom of the Clyde.'”

She added: “I was 13 years old and I was raped at knifepoint. Afterwards he got back into the driver’s seat.

“I was just in shock, disbelief. I was absolutely terrified.

“I was thinking a multitude of thoughts.”

The victim said she didn’t tell anyone at the time and added: “Back in those days that wasn’t the sort of thing you would talk about.”

It was not until 2012 that she plucked up the courage to contact police about the rape.

Burns was also convicted of sexually abusing the other young girl on various occasions between 1992 and 1999 at different locations – including Glasgow, Lanarkshire and Falkirk.

The victim, now aged 27, recalled that he would regularly touch her inappropriately and kiss her.

Lord Bracadale sentenced Burns to five years for what he described as “very serious charges”.

The judge said it would be up to the parole board, who had refused him twice before, whether he would ever be allowed back on the streets.

Burns, who had denied the offences, smiled at his wife as he was led handcuffed back to the cells.

In 2000, Burns received a life sentence for the brutal rape of two teenage prostitutes in Glasgow.

The judge in that case described him as “a serious danger” and he was ordered to serve a minimum nine years behind bars.

His QC Frances McMenamin said that the 2000 case made “highly disturbing reading”, and that it was clear that Burns once had “deeply entrenched views” towards crime and women.

However, the advocate said he was now “well motivated” to change his ways.

October 2000

Prostitutes tell rape trial of torture attacks

TWO teenage prostitutes told a jury yesterday how they had been brutally assaulted and raped after being picked up in Glasgow’s east end.

Both claim Gordon Burns, 38, drove them to a house in Bellshill, Lanarkshire, and subjected them to a horrific and shameful sexual ordeal.

The first alleged victim,a 19-year-old, said she was picked up by Burns in Bain Street near the Barrow land ballroom in a white van and sexually assaulted with a a gun and pole before being raped.

She told Joanna Johnston, prosecuting: “He tied my wrists and ankes to a bed before assaulting me.”

She said she was abducted again months later in March by a friend of Burns and both men drove her to a farmhouse at Gartocharn in the boot of a car.

The woman claimed she was again raped by Burns, who threatened to kill her, and was held captive in a cupboard overnight.

A second alleged victim, an 18-year-old prostitute who said she became _ a heroin addict when she was aged 14, wept in the witness box as she claimed how she was subjected to a degrading sex assault in a house in Liberty Road, Bellshill.

She said she had been sexually assaulted with a hammer before being raped by Burns and told Miss Johnston at the High Court in Glasgow: “There was no furniture in the house apart from the bed.”

The jury has heard Burns – described as a prisoner at Barlinnie – denies the charges and claims mistaken identity.

March 2015

Needham Market man jailed for seven years for sexual activity with a child

A 56-year-old Suffolk man has been jailed for seven years after being convicted of five counts of sexual activity with a child.

Anthony Harmsworth, of Drift Court, Needham Market, had previously been found guilty at his Ipswich Crown Court trial.

Harmsworth, who had previously lived in Ipswich, Felixstowe and Leiston, listened to the sentencing seated in a wheelchair in front of the dock flanked three security guards.

During the hearing it was said that when police went to arrest him on the allegations he had tried to take an overdose of tablets.

The court also heard that at one stage following his arrest Harmsworth had also made his way up to the Orwell Bridge, but was unable to get over the barriers due to his ill health.

Harmsworth had no previous history of sexual offences, although he did have older convictions for dishonesty.

It was said he had a disposition towards depression due to physical abuse he suffered during his childhood.

Harmsworth had been remanded in custody following his trial.

Miss Donovan told the court: “He is an ill man. I think he’s found it quite difficult in prison as anyone would. He accepts this is going to be a long sentence.”

Prior the hearing Harmsworth was tearful as he waited for it to begin.

Handing down his sentence Judge David Goodin told Harmsworth that he had no doubt his misery over his failing health at the time of the offences coupled with his awareness of what he was doing would made things very difficult for him to deal with.

The judge said when officers arrived at Harmsworth’s home he ran to the kitchen and took a handful of pills, but then either spat them out or was unable to swallow them.

Judge Goodin told him: “It seems to me that you portray yourself as one of life’s victims.

“You were not a victim at all. You were a predator.”

In addition to his jail term Harmsworth was told he would be made subject to the requirements of Sexual Offences Act including signing the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.

July 2005

Ex-fireman jailed for sex abuse

A ROTHERHAM chef who was convicted of sexually assaulting two young girls aged seven and eight has been jailed for seven years.

Michael Perkins (28) was found guilty of three offences by a Sheffield Crown Court jury.

When he appeared for sentence on Tuesday, Judge Rosalind Coe told him: “These were young girls who suffered significant harm.”

Perkins, of Morley Street, Rawmarsh, was convicted after a trial in January of one offence of sexually touching the seven-year-old and two offences of intimately touching the eight-year-old.

Ms Megan Rhys, for Perkins, said he strenuously denied the allegations.

“Something happened on just one occasion with the seven-year-old,” she said.

He was a hard-working and qualified chef but had a genetic heart condition and had already suffered two heart attacks at a young age, Ms Rhys said.

He was due to see a cardiologist.

Judge Coe told Perkins that although he had health problems and mental health difficulties, a lengthy custodial sentence was necessary.

She said: “These are very, very serious offences and there was a significant breach of trust here.”

Perkins was given three years in prison for the offence against the seven-year-old and a further four years consecutively for the offences against the other girl.

He was also given an indefinite Sex Offenders’ Prevention Order barring him from having contact with children under 16.

The court was not told where Perkins had worked in catering, only that he was a qualified chef.

March 2015

Serial sex offender who raped and sexually assaulted six teenage girls

A MAN has been jailed for 12 years after being found guilty of eight sex offences, including rape.

Kemal Roma, 39, unemployed, of no fixed address, but from the Hastings area was charged with one count of rape and seven counts of sexual assault including two by penetration and five by touching between March 2012 and September 2014.

All the offences were committed in Hastings.

Roma was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court last Friday (March 13) to 12 years in prison.

He will be on the Sex Offenders Register for life and will be bound by a sexual offences prevention order for life.

Detective Constable Andrew Smith said “This was a difficult case to progress and it took the victims a great deal of courage to come forward and to stand up and be counted against a defendant who is considered to be a manipulative bully.

“A serial calculating sex offender has now been convicted and received appropriate punishment for his disgusting crimes against vulnerable victims.”

March 2015

Coventry builder has been jailed for grooming schoolgirl

A Coventry builder has been jailed for repeatedly luring a 14-year-old girl into his works van as she walked to school and inciting her to take part in sex acts.

Coventry man Alan Hall, from Southam Close in Canley, groomed the schoolgirl with flirtatious glances and compliments as he cycled past her in the street.

But in December 2013 he pulled up alongside the youngster, who was always dressed in school uniform, and offered her a lift.

Hall parked up near garages before kissing the girl and, during subsequent rendezvous in his van, went on to incite her into committing sex acts.

A concerned teacher contacted the girl’s parents on 6 December and reported seeing her getting into a vehicle driven by an older man.

Detectives traced it to a Coventry building firm and later that evening the 27-year-old was arrested from his home address.

He admitted giving the 14-year-old lifts but denied any sexual motive – but when officers examined a tracker device fitted to his van it showed Hall was lying about the route he claimed to have driven.

A jury found him guilty last month on five counts of sexual activity with a child and on Friday 13 March 13 he was jailed for four-and-a-half years.

Hall was made to sign the sex offender’s register for at least 10 years and handed a Sexual Offences Prevention Order banning him from living in the same address or having unsupervised contact with girls aged under-16.

Investigating officer Jon Barker from Coventry Police’s Public Protection Unit, said: “Hall began by casting glances at the girl followed by comments like ‘morning gorgeous’ and then stopping to chat – he was grooming her and she admitted being flattered by the attention.

“It was predatory behaviour and, although there was no duress or aggravating factors, he knew the girl’s age and was fully aware he was committing an offence.

“We’d always urge parents to reinforce personal safety messages to their children and tell them never to get into stranger’s vehicles.”