December 2013

Plymouth paedophile looked at child abuse images on mother’s laptop

A PAEDOPHILE looked at indecent images of children on his mother’s laptop, a court heard.

Gareth Williamson, aged 40, then called the police to admit he had “done something stupid”.

He had looked at the images while left alone at his mother’s home to do some decorating, Plymouth Crown Court heard.

Williamson, of Parkside, Keyham, had earlier admitted possession of indecent images of children on March 11.

He also pleaded guilty to breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order by looking at the pornography.

A judge made the order in 2008 when he imprisoned Williamson for 42 weeks for possession of indecent images.

The court heard he viewed seven images in March, ranging from Level 1 to Level 4.

Alistair Verheijen, for the Crown Prosecution Service, said Williamson contacted police to confess to looking at child pornography.

He said he had “done something stupid”.

Mr Verheijen said police seized the laptop and found the images, which had been deleted.

He added the defendant told police he was alone at his mother’s house decorating when he saw the computer and guessed the password.

Ali Rafati, for Williamson, said he was in “disarray” after abusing his mother’s trust by looking at her laptop.

He added: “He knew immediately the consequences of his actions.”

Mr Rafati said after his release from prison he paid to attend a course to tackle internet sex offending.

Recorder Michael Vere-Hodge said: “I accept you were horrified and very disappointed by your lapse. I have very much in mind that you reported yourself to police.”

He ordered that Williamson attend the internet sex offenders’ course again and be supervised by probation for two years.

The judge also imposed a new indefinite Sexual Offences Prevention Order. It prevents him working or living with children and means he must surrender his internet history to police on demand.

December 2013

Halling pervert spared jail after molesting girl in back of his lorry

A pervert who groped a teenage girl after luring her into the back of his lorry has walked free from court.

David Jefferys had taken the girl to his truck in Halling, Rochester, on the pretext of having a “quiet cigarette” – but he then made sexual suggestions and touched her breasts.

The 44-year-old, of Hanes Dean, Halling, denied sexual assault, but was convicted by a jury at Maidstone Crown Court

December 2013

12 month jail term for sex offender who repeatedly breached banning order

A CONVICTED sex offender who has flouted court orders preventing him from being with children more than a dozen times was tonight back behind bars.

Michael Sharpe was in a house with seven children – the youngest aged only two – just two months after being released from a four-year jail sentence for similar breaches.

Sharpe, 50, was jailed in 2004 for indecent assault when he drove a teenage girl to Hurworth Burn reservoir, near Wingate, County Durham, and abused her.

A Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) was imposed following the balding pervert’s conviction – but he has now since breached it 15 times in the last six years.

In 2007, he flouted the order three times, and in 2009, he received a 30-month sentence for allowing children into his home and not telling parents of his past.

In April 2011, he was given four years having sex with a homeless 17-year-old at his home in Thornaby, Stockton, and spending time with children she was babysitting.

After being freed in March this year, Sharpe went to the home of a former prison cell-mate where a woman had her four children and three grandchildren.

Sharpe did not tell the grandmother about his perverted past, but maintains he informed his friend why he had been in prison and the prohibitions he was under.

Teesside Crown Court heard that he felt unable to tell the woman he could not be there, but left the house as soon as he finished a cup of tea he had been offered.

Prosecutor Sue Jacobs told the court that he returned to the house on each of the following two days, but never entered – going only to drop off items and collect money.

Julian Gaskin, mitigating, urged Judge Simon Bourne-Arton, QC, to consider a suspended prison sentence because Sharpe is already under strict supervision.

The judge told Sharpe: “I cannot agree with those submissions . . . you knew precisely what was meant by that order, because you had repeatedly breached it.

“Within months of your release, you breached it again . . . you did not leave as soon as you realised there were children there and you went back on two occasions.”

Sharpe, whose most recent address was in Dorothy Street, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to three breaches of the SOPO, and was locked up for 12 months.

December 2013

Internet groomer who met boy in Bradford jailed for two years

An internet paedophile who travelled to the Bradford area for sex with a 13-year-old boy in public toilets has been jailed for two years.

Jamie Sylvester, 37, knew his vulnerable victim’s age but commented: “Age isn’t a big matter to me. I just judge them on how mature they are.”

Sylvester, of Gotts Road, Leeds, pleaded guilty to two offences of sexual activity with a child.

Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday he travelled to meet the teenager three years ago after they communicated on the internet.

The boy at first pretended he was 18 but then told Sylvester his true age. They went to nearby public toilets and engaged in sexual acts.

Although they met up once again, there was no sexual activity that time, the court was told.

Gerald Hendron, barrister for Sylvester, said he was of previous good character.

“He accepts that what he did was wrong and that it was his responsibility and he accepts the harm he has caused,” Mr Hendron said.

He was fully aware of his age and took advantage of a vulnerable victim.

Sylvester must sign on the sex offenders’ register for ten years and he was made the subject of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order for ten years.

December 2013

School caretaker jailed for 10 years for sex assaults on a child

A Suffolk school caretaker has been jailed for ten years after admitting a catalogue of child abuse including two rapes of a boy under 13.

Glenn Brennan was sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court after previously pleading guilty to eight offences.

A member of his victim’s family said: “It’s been horrific for him. It has totally ruined his life.

“He is just so relieved that someone believes him and he is happy with the sentence.”

Earlier this year the victim told his father that he had been abused and named Brennan. of Pig Lane, Beccles as the man responsible.

The allegations dated back to the 1990s.

Before his arrest Brennan had worked as the caretaker at Sir John Leman High School in Beccles.

After Brennan was jailed Detective Constable Kim Shrubsall said; “When we interviewed the victim he disclosed that he had been sexually abused on a number of occasions when he was under 16.

“Brennan was arrested on March 21 and admitted being involved in sexual activity with him when he was a young boy but initially denied the serious sexual offences he was accused of.

“The investigation continued and on July 9 Brennan was charged with a number of sexual offences including rape and indecent assault. He later pleaded guilty to two counts of rape of a male child under 13, three counts of sexual assault on a child under 13 and three counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

“The victim came forward to report what had happened to him to prevent it from happening to anyone else and has been has been extremely courageous throughout this process.

“This case demonstrates that victims can get justice, even many years after the crime, and that offenders who commit such acts of abuse can expect a substantial prison sentence.”

A statement issued on behalf of Sir John Leman High School’s governing body read: “The school was notified by police earlier this year to a historic allegation made against a member of staff.

“All recruitment procedures had been followed including all relevant employment checks.

“Following this notification human resources and safeguarding procedures were applied.

“No concerns have been raised regarding any student of the school either past or present, and the member of staff is no longer employed by the school.”

In addition to his jail term Brennan must sign the Sex Offenders Register for an indefinite period and was given a Sexual Offences Prevention Order.

November 2013

Great Yarmouth man found guilty of child sexual abuse

Following a trial which commenced 18th of November, 2013 at Norwich crown court, Martin Thomas, 49 of Sturdee avenue, Great Yarmouth was found guilty of a number of sexual offences and of doing acts tending and intended to pervert the course of public justice

Thomas was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on the 2nd January 2014 at Norwich crown court

October 2012

Great Yarmouth man on underage sex charges

A man appeared in court today charged with 15 counts of child rape, sexual assault and unlawful sexual activity with children.

Martin Thomas, 48, appeared at Great Yarmouth Magistrates Court, speaking only to confirm his name, address and date of birth. He gave his address as North Quay, Great Yarmouth.

The charges include nine counts of adult sexual activity with an underage girl and one of assault on an underage girl.

He was committed to appear at Norwich Crown Court on Wednesday, October 31.

Bail was granted but the defendant was warned he is not to contact the victims or any person under the age of 18, or approach witnesses.

December 2013

Man jailed for child sex abuse offences

A ‘man of faith’ who used his connections with the church to work with children has been jailed for carrying out sexual attacks against a young boy

Peter Lemmon, 58 of Stockton was sentenced to 10 years in prison following a hearing at York crown court

The court heard that for two years, Lemmon carried out a variety of sex acts on the boy who was aged just 10 or 11 years at the time in what was described in court as ‘an appalling way’

December 2013

Carer, 25, and her baby son ‘strangled in their beds’ by ex-boyfriend two days after they split up

• Wesley Williams, 28, had been dating Yvonne Walsh for several months

• But two days after the couple split, Yvonne and her baby son Harrison were found dead at her home in Billesley, Birmingham

• Post mortem examinations found they both died from pressure to the neck

• Williams today admitted the double murder at Birmingham Crown Court

• He was remanded in custody and will be sentenced next week 

A violent boyfriend has admitted killing his former partner and her seven-month-old baby by ‘strangling them in their beds’ just two days after the couple had broken up.

Wesley Williams, 28, killed Yvonne Walsh and her son Harrison at her home in Billesley, Birmingham, West Midlands, in June this year – just days after the pair had separated.

University graduate Yvonne, 25, and Williams had been in a relationship for several months – but it ended abruptly on May 31. 

Two days later the mother and baby were found dead in their beds after West Midlands Police forced their way into the property.

Post mortem examinations revealed the mother and son had died as a result of pressure being applied to their necks.

Williams today admitted two counts of murder during an emotional hearing at Birmingham Crown Court.

He was remanded in custody until sentencing next week on a date to be decided.

Williams, wearing a grey sweatshirt, spoke only to enter his guilty pleas to the two counts.

Judge William Davis QC told Williams he would be jailed for life and warned him to expect ‘a very substantial term’ in prison when he is sentenced next week.

Mr Davis also told Williams and members of the victims’ families sitting in the public gallery that although pleas had been taken, the case could not be dealt with today because of another separate trial over which he was already presiding.

Addressing Williams, Judge Davis said: ‘Self-evidently, because of your pleas, the sentencing judge will be obliged to sentence you to prison for life and the minimum period will be a very substantial term.’

Both the victims died as a result of pressure to the neck, according to a post mortem examination after they were found at their home in Chells Grove on June 2.

He was arrested the same day, shortly after the discovery of their remains by police.

Judge Davis QC ordered Williams to be remanded in custody until his sentencing hearing.

Two hours before Williams appeared in court Yvonne’s sister Tracey Walsh took to Facebook to plead with him to admit the killings.

She wrote: ‘You’d think after six months this would get easier but still feels like the first day…plead guilty today you monster and let us get justice for our sister and nephew.’

Yvonne worked at a care home for vulnerable adults in Moseley, Birmingham, less than three miles from her home.

She had been seeing Williams for around two months after she split from Harrison’s biological father.

Detective Chief Inspector Sarbjit Johal, from the homicide investigation team, today said: ‘Wesley Williams has pleaded guilty to the shocking and senseless murders of his partner Yvonne and her baby Harrison who both had their whole lives ahead of them.

‘Yvonne’s family described her as a warm and loving person who was a dedicated professional and absolutely devoted to her two young children.

‘My thoughts are with their family, friends and the community that they lived in who are all still struggling to come to terms with their deaths.’

June 2007

Pervert admits sexual activity with an under-age girl then walks free from court

A FORMER gymnastics teacher in Pickering has escaped a jail sentence after admitting sexual activity with an under-age girl.

Kevin Dekeyser, 48, was sentenced to a three-year community order with supervision and must sign on the sex offenders register for five years following the hearing at Leeds Crown Court.

Dekeyser, of Columbus Ravine, Scarborough, ran the now-defunct Ryedale Flames gymnastics club based at the Northern Ryedale Leisure Centre in Pickering.

He admitted three allegations of sexual abuse shortly before he was due to face trial at York Crown Court last month. A fourth allegation will lie on file.

Prosecuting, Jonathan Carroll said Dekeyser befriended the teenager after seeing her compete in gymnastics events.

He struck a deal with her mother for the girl to join his club and began taking her to and from lessons, leading to an incident in August 2005 when, after Dekeyser had parked outside her home, he told her : “I just don’t want to let you go”. He drove her to the bottom of the road and asked for a kiss on the lips.

She agreed but when he “moved in for a full-on snog” she said he was getting “too close.”.

A similar incident took place on another occasion near a petrol station in Scarborough and Dekeyser was arrested following a third incident at the victim’s home.

When her mother left the room he told the girl she was “looking gorgeous” and put his hand down the back of her trousers, groping her. Taryn Turner, in mitigation, said Dekeyser had no previous convictions and the offences were “entirely out of character.”.

She said: “He has been a loyal and supportive son, husband and father and indeed someone who has made a positive contribution to the lives of many young people.”

Mrs Turner said Dekeyser had been diagnosed with diabetes and had developed “unusual personality traits” in the months before the incidents, which may explain his behaviour.

Judge Stephen Ashurst said the victim was “absolutely right” to report Dekeyser and may have stopped him offending more seriously.

Judge Ashurst said: “You have lost your good reputation in the community and will take a long time to live down these events.”

Dekeyser, who has been married for 30 years and whose family attended court to support him, must also take part in the sex offender treatment programme.

April 2009

Anger over army bid to free child molester

A CONTROVERSIAL bid by the army to stop one of their soldiers going to prison for sexually abusing children in Inverness has come under fire.

The plea by officers of his regiment for child molester Callum Sandeman to be given his liberty was thrown out by a sheriff last week who jailed the sex offender for 18 months a sentence welcomed by a local MSP who has hit out at the army’s stance.

Sandeman, a 22-year-old private in the Black Watch, who grew up in Dundee walked into the home of a fellow squaddie after a drunken night out in Inverness and indecently assaulted a seven-year-old girl and a nine-year-old boy.

Both youngsters have been left traumatised by the incident.

Moves are now afoot to kick Sandeman out of the army.

But in court last week, senior officers including the Commanding Officer of 3rd Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland Lt Col Stephen Cartwright, two majors, a captain, lieutenant and a non-commissioned officer submitted glowing testimonials describing Sandeman as an exemplary soldier and claimed he was full of remorse.

Defence solicitor Marc Dickson said the army was suggesting transferring Sandeman to another placement, restricting his movement where there are families.

The solicitor said the army would commit to monitor and support Sandeman.

A social inquiry report suggested a non-custodial sentence but Depute Procurator Fiscal Ron Phillips told Sheriff Alexander Pollock the opinions expressed by Sandeman’s officers were wholly inconsistent with views expressed by professionals commissioned by the court to prepare reports.

“While the references are universally supportive and obviously well intended, it’s my submission that questions must arise as to how well informed are some of the opinions expressed.” said the fiscal.

Mr Phillips said the most stark example was a reference from one army major who described Sandeman as utterly appalled at the situation he found himself in and extremely remorseful, and his primary concern was for those affected by his actions.

The fiscal said that was entirely at odds with reports issued by social workers.

One stated he showed little remorse. Another commented: “The accused does not appear to have an appreciation of the severity of the offences he has committed and cannot connect emotionally with the effect it has had on the witnesses.

“He gives the impression he projects responsibility onto his victims.”

Earlier, the fiscal described how Sandeman had been in the city centre drinking with army pals and somehow found his way into the house of his victims, who were complete strangers to him.

He was so drunk he vomited in the house and his mobile phone and boxer shorts were found in the house by investigating officers.

Sandeman admitted a breach of the peace and two charges of using lewd, libidinous and indecent behaviour towards the children on November 23 last year.

Mr Phillips said Sandeman went into the boy’s bedroom first and pulled down his pyjama bottoms and rubbed his thigh. The boy woke up and ran upstairs.

Sandeman then went into the boy’s sister’s room and carried out an indecent act on her which was witnessed by her brother.

The children ran to their parents and their father found Sandeman in his daughter’s bed laughing and naked from the waist down.

The fiscal said the offences had a traumatic effect on the children involved and the wider family.

Mr Dickson said: “There’s nothing I can do or say which mitigates what he did and I have been asked by him to publicly intimate his revulsion at what he has done.”

Mr Dickson said Sandeman’s state of inebriation was apparent “to the point of oblivion”.

The father of the two young victims wept in the public benches as Sheriff Pollock told Sandeman: “You have pleaded guilty to what in any view are serious charges. The sequence of events has involved sexually activity of the most reprehensible kind. Not only because of the acts themselves but also because of where they occurred, in their own bedrooms, where they were entitled to feel safe.”

The sheriff said the children’s sense of security was lost that night in their own rooms and they had suffered subsequent trauma.

Drink, the sheriff said, was not an excuse and, despite Sandeman’s exemplary record as a soldier, a custodial sentence could only adequately reflect the gravity of the offences.

Because of the early plea, he restricted the penalty to one of 18 months and placed him on the Sex Offenders’ Register for 10 years.

An army spokeswoman issued a statement this week which appeared to contradict part of what was said in court by Sandeman’s defence.

She admitted it had no “formal” programme for helping people on the sex offenders’ register and that there was no guarantee Sandeman would be allowed to continue to serve in the army if he were spared jail.

She said: “This was always going to be a serious one so it would be in the hands of the Army Discipline Chain of Command to say whether he could stay in, not the chap’s defence lawyer or the battalion.

“Since Sandeman got a custodial sentence, he is being discharged as we speak.”

December 2013

Computer expert seeks help to change behaviour which led to him downloading sickening images

A COMPUTER expert who amassed a sickening collection of more than 40,000 indecent images blamed an obsessive compulsive disorder for his warped interest.

Christopher Downing, 36, had pornographic pictures and films of children, filthy cartoons of youngsters and some movies and stills of sex scenes involving animals.

Police raided the home he shared with his parents in Stockton in February last year after learning he had been visiting obscene websites,Teesside Crown Court heard.

His barrister told the court: “There seems to be something of a background of obsessive compulsive behaviour which he actually tells me is something of a family trait.

“Unfortunately, in his case, it has developed in a way which led him to break the law . . . he is on a waiting list now to get cognitive behaviour therapy – talking therapy.”

The court heard that Downing, an IT support worker who now lives in Darlington, had sought help from a child protection charity which runs treatment programmes.

Adrian Dent, mitigating, said he had demonstrated he wants to change, and told Judge Howard Crowson: “He has done his level best to take steps to sort himself out.

“He does express his deep shame and remorse, and he is shamed in front of his family and the rest of the community. He has spent his time since his arrest very frightened.

“The other aspect of his offending is that it will most likely bring to an end his employment, so there is an additional punishment there for him,” added Mr Dent.

Downing, of Leafield Road, Darlington, admitted charges of making and possessing indecent images of children, prohibited images and images of extreme pornography.

He was given a three-year community order, put on the sex offenders’ register for five years, and was banned from having unsupervised contact with under-16s.

Judge Crowson told Downing, who was of previous good character, but had spent two-and-a-half years downloading filth, that the terms of his supervision would be onerous.

“What you have done is abhorrent,” the judge said. “I am confident in your case that it may well succeed, but if you don’t, you will come back before me.

“I am very much impressed by the references I have read from your family who have struggled with the knowledge of what you have done, but have, in the end, found it within themselves to support you.”

December 2013

Carlisle court remands child abuse images man in custody ‘for his own protection’

A west Cumbrian man has been remanded in custody “for his own protection” after admitting a string of child abuse images charges.

Colin Storr, 53, of Chaucer Avenue, Egremont, admitted 13 offences of downloading indecent photographs of children from the internet when he appeared at Carlisle Crown Court today.

They covered more than 700 separate images of children aged between three and 16, and were classified as being from levels one (the least serious) to four (the second highest) on the official five-category scale of seriousness.

Storr was remanded in custody by Judge Paul Batty QC for his own protection, though he did not say why that was.

He will be sentenced on January 24.

December 2013

Community order for Southampton sex offender who refused to reveal computer password

A CONVICTED sex offender refused to disclose a computer password to police after officers became suspicious about content on his machine, a court heard.

Police paid a routine visit to Colin Smith at his home in Lodge Road,Southampton, to check his computer as part of a sexual offences order placed on him.

Southampton Crown Court heard how it became apparent to officers that thumbnail images found on the computer appeared to be indecent images of children, but 90 files had been encrypted with a password.

Smith, 53, who has a number of convictions for sexual offences against boys and girls under 16 between 1979 and 2005, was given until the end of November 2011 to disclose the password. But the court heard how he failed to meet the terms of the order.

The case was listed for trial but Smith, a freelance computer technician, admitted to failing to disclose information to police in October this year.

David Reid, defending Smith, said his client was a man with a “sexual interest in children” but the risk of his behaviour increases when he encounters problems in his life.

Judge Peter Ralls sentenced Smith to a community order for three years, to include a supervision requirement and a sexual offending treatment programme. He also ordered him to pay £840, and for his computer to be seized and destroyed.

June 2005

Teacher admits sex charges on girls, 13

PERVERT Fred Morritt will return to court next month to discover his fate after pleading guilty to five further charges of indecent assault – this time on two young girls aged 13.

The former music teacher of Homestead, Clayton Brook, is already serving four years seven months after pleading guilty to five offences of indecent assault on a 12-year-old boy he was teaching. Morritt, aged 66, received his prison sentence following a trial in December 2004.

But the sentencing hearing could not be reported earlier this year because of the further allegations regarding the girls.

He denied them at the time but later returned to court and pleaded guilty to the five offences against the girls which related back to the Sixties and Seventies.

He will be sentenced for these new offences at Preston Crown Court on July 4.

At his trial into abusing the young pupil, Morritt originally denied the allegations but later changed his plea to guilty.

December 2013

Former Cork mayor jailed for 1 year for sexually assaulting girl multiple times

A former lord mayor of Cork has been jailed for just one year after he was found guilty last month of sexually assaulting a teenage girl in the 1990s while he was a serving councillor.

John Murray, 83, of Gregg Road in Cork had denied all six charges.

Murray was found guilty on five counts and not guilty of the other charge after a four-day trial.

The assaults took place between 1996 and 1998. Murray served as Cork’s lord mayor in 1993 and 1994.

Judge Seán Ó Donnabháinn sentenced Murray to four years in prison, suspending the final three years on one count, which he described as more serious.

On the four remaining charges, he sentenced him to two years, suspending the final 12 months.

Murray, a veteran Labour Party official, served as lord mayor of Cork from 1993/94 and was a representative for Cork at the 1994 World Cup finals in the US.

The judge said while he had to take into account Murray’s age, his state of health and that he had no previous convictions, Murray had pleaded not guilty and had shown no remorse.

The victim said all she wanted was justice and to be believed.

She said she went from a happy, outgoing child to an angry, isolated and withdrawn teenager, who was constantly at odds with everyone.

The woman told the judge that because her abuser was a former lord mayor of Cork, and a strong man who intimidated her, she felt scared and worried that she would not be believed.

She said it took over 15 years before she realised it was a secret she could not carry any more.

The former Lord Mayor remained emotionless as he was led away to begin his sentence.

Murray denied sexually assaulting the teen who claimed the abuse happened after he whispered that he would “love to f*** her.”

The girl said she was left shocked and frightened by the assaults which happened in Murray’s car, in a pub toilet and at another premises in Cork

December 2013

Crawley man jailed for string of child sex offences

A 21-year-old man has been sentenced to two years’ imprisonment for sexual offences against three children.

Lloyd Breach, unemployed, of Ifield Wood, Crawley, appeared before Hove Court Court on 3 December charged with sexual assault, inciting a girl 13 to 15-years-old to engage in sexual activity, grooming,  attempted grooming and seven counts of possession of indecent images.

He has been given a five year sexual offences prevention order, been placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years and the indecent material has been destroyed.

DC Mark Butcher said: “This man preyed on young girls who were brave enough to come forward to talk about his actions.

“He groomed two girls and committed further offences against another girl.

“I am pleased he pleaded guilty to these crimes and that he has been punished accordingly.

“I would urge anyone who has been subject of any kind of sexual abuse to report it to police and we will give them all the support they need.”

The unemployed 21-year-old, from Ifield Wood, Ifield, is a former Hazelwick School and Central Sussex College student.

Breach used to be a bouncer at Moka nightclub and once appeared on The Jeremy Kyle Show.

December 2013

Already convicted paedophile had 4,000 indecent child images

A convicted sex offender found with more than 4,000 indecent images of children has been jailed for two-and-a-half years and placed on an extended licence when released for the protection of the public.

Graham Garnett, 59, was already on the sex offenders’ register for downloading indecent images.

Norwich Crown Court heard that when police made a routine check they found he had downloaded indecent images on his laptop and various other computer equipment including a memory stick.

Chris Youell, prosecuting, said there was a total of 3,908 images and 452 moving images.

A large number of the images were in the most serious category.

The court heard that Garnett had previous convictions for sex offences including possession of indecent images in 2005.

Garnett, of Matlock Road, Norwich, admitted making and possessing indecent images and breaching conditions of the sex offenders’ register.

Jailing him for two-and-a-half years and ordering him to be placed on an extended three-and-a-half-year licence, Recorder Christopher Morgan said a pre-sentence report showed that Garnett was of “high risk” of reoffending.

He said: “You pose a significant risk of serious harm to children.”

Recorder Morgan placed him on the sex offenders’ register for life and banned him from working with children.

He ordered that he also be subject to a sexual offences prevention order, which restricts his use of the internet.

Recorder Morgan said the fact he had images on a number of devices could have been to try to avoid detection or to pass the images on, and said there were troubling issues.

Johnathan Morgans, for Garnett, said that he deserved credit for his guilty plea and said that Garnett wanted to get help with his problem

November 2013

Jailed rapist claimed the 10-year-old girls he abused ‘wrecked his life’

An unrepentant rapist has been jailed for six years after complaining to a judge that the two ten-year-old girls he attacked have wrecked his life.

Ryan Higgins took mobile phone pictures of one of the girls and used them to blackmail them into taking part in sex acts with him.

He forced the girls to go to court to give evidence against him and claimed they had invented their stories and ‘wrecked his life’.

Higgins was jailed at Exeter Crown Court after a Judge declared that one of the two young girls was among the most compelling and convincing witnesses he has ever seen.

The 20-year-old carried out the attacks when he was aged 15 to 17 and the victims were aged ten to 12. He bullied them into sex by blackmailing them over the pictures and ensured their silence by threatening to tell their parents what they had done with him.

Higgins, of Church Street, Paignton, denied two counts of rape against one girl and one of attempted rape against the other. He was jailed for six years in a Young Offenders’ Institution.

Judge Francis Gilbert, QC, told him:”Your victims have both suffered significantly and are continuing to do so. It is not the least bit surprising and is all because of you.

“This was most certainly not some youthful experimentation. You compelled them to comply with your demands by intimidation and threats to expose what happened to their parents.

“You pleaded not guilty and accused both the girls of lying and creating false allegations against you. You accuse them of wrecking your life.

“I can only say that having heard their evidence, I found one to be one of the most compelling witnesses of truth I have ever seen in a long career in the courts.”

During a trial in September the jury heard how Higgins took advantage of the girls when he was staying in the same house where they were having a sleepover.

He persuaded one to pose for an indecent picture and refused to delete it from his phone unless they agreed to his sexual demands.

After that he exploited their embarrassment and fear of exposure to force them to perform further sexual acts with him when they met on later occasions.

Higgins denied any sexual activity had taken place.

Mr Jonathan Barnes, defending, said Higgins was very young and immature at the time but is now has a job and is engaged to be married.

He said:”Young men with all the angst of puberty will behave in a way they would not if they are older.”

November 2013

Exmouth man, 48, admits having sex with girl of 15

An Exmouth man has admitted four offences of having under age sex with a 15-year-old girl.

Gary Sparkes has been warned he could face jail after admitting the offences when he appeared at Exeter Crown Court.

Sparkes, aged 48, of Tennyson Way, Exmouth, admitted four offences of sexual activity with a child. They all relate to the same 15-year-old girl and took place during a ten week period between February and April this year.

He was ordered to sign on the Sex Offenders’ Register by Judge Francis Gilbert, QC, who bailed him but warned:”All sentencing options will remain open. You should expect immediate custody. You are a man of 48 who had intercourse with a girl of 15.”

No details of the allegations were given during the short hearing but Mr Rupert Taylor, defending, asked for the case to be adjourned for reports.

He said:”His is aged 48 and of good character. We are seeking a report into his mental health.”

December 2013

Cumbria man has been sentenced for grooming, possession of indecent images, prohibited images & extreme pornography

John Leslie Graham, aged 53, of Edinburgh Road, Maryport, was sentenced to six years at Carlisle Crown Court.

Graham’s offences came to light in January 2013 after his victim, a girl in her teens, told a family member she had been receiving sexually explicit text messages. Through an investigation by the police the level of sexual abuse, indecent and prohibited images, and the extreme pornography were revealed.

Detective Constable Andrea Davidson, who led the investigation, said: “The victim in this case was upset and distressed by what was happening and it had an effect on her life.

“Once these offences came to light, we were able to investigate Graham’s actions and bring him to justice. The sentence today reflects the impact that he had on his victim.

“We will always investigate allegations of this nature thoroughly and professionally, with the priority being on the support of the victim.

“We encourage anyone not to suffer any form of abuse in silence. Confide in someone you trust, they will be able to help you.”

Anyone with any concerns should call Cumbria Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.