March 2016

Nappy wearing sex attacker given suspended jail sentence for abusing young boy

A Scarborough man who made his victim put on a nappy before sexually assaulting him has been given a suspended jail sentence.

Clive Richardson was holding a knife during the first encounter with the boy and also wore a nappy, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor Rupert Doswell said Richardson had the victim wash him in an intimate area and also forced the boy’s hand onto his groin.

He then told him not to tell anyone about what had happened.

Richardson then carried out a similar attack a few weeks later while he and the boy were again wearing nappies.

The abuse, which occurred in County Durham, dated back a number of years, but only came to light in March 2014 when the complainant contacted police and Richardson was arrested.

He denied indecent assault and gross indecency, but was convicted by a jury after a trial.

In a statement, the victim said he despised Richardson and had become “Mr Angry”, using drugs to block out memories of the abuse.

He had also suffered from depression and had suicidal thoughts.

Richardson, 39, of Eastway, Scarborough, who uses a wheelchair because of a problem with his leg, was of previous good character and had made a positive impact on society, said Felicity Hemlin, mitigating.

Judge Tony Briggs said it was just possible to suspend a jail sentence on Richardson.

He received a 21 month jail sentence, suspended for two years and a supervision order. He will have to register as a sex offender and be subject to a sexual harm prevention order for the next seven years.

March 2016

Man pleads guilty to possessing indecent images of children

A 32-year-old man caught with vile indecent images of children has had his sentence deferred.

At Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on Monday, James Purdie pleaded guilty to charges of possessing indecent images and taking or permitting images to be taken at properties in Woodlands Avenue and Dickson Drive, Irvine, between November 2014 and November last year.

The court heard that some of the images were at the highest level of depravity – featuring girls as young as two being abused by adult men.

Police raided Purdie’s home at 9.35am on November 19 last year.

A brief examination of a laptop computer immediately uncovered indecent images of children.

Purdie told officers: “Everything you have found is mine.”

A full examination of the laptop led to the discovery of a total of 115 images of girls aged between two and 12 which he had obtained via file-sharing sites.

Some of those being abused were clearly in pain, Sheriff Derek Livingston was told.

Simon Brown, defending, said that the prosecution narration had been agreed with the defence.

He asked that bail be continued.

“He has been co-operative throughout,” said Mr Brown.

There had also been an early indication of pleas of guilty, said the solicitor.

Sheriff Livingston deferred sentence until April 15 and called for a criminal justice social work report.

The sheriff placed Purdie, who now resides at Barrie Terrace, Ardrossan, on the sex offenders register.

March 2016

Pervert admits possessing indecent pictures of children and animals

A MAN has admitted 16 counts of having indecent photographs of children and possessing extreme pornographic images featuring animals.

Darren Thorne, of Beach Road, Clacton, admitted the charges when he appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court.

he court heard police officers raided his former address at Knox Gardens, Clacton, following an online investigation.

They seized electrical equipment and found photographs of children aged under nine years old.

Some of the images were on a shared device and it is unknown whether Thorne looked at them.

Some 80 images were in the most serious category of Class A with some containing images of children suffering harm.

Thorne, 35, will next appear at Chelmsford Crown Court later this month for sentence.

March 2016

Man found guilty of abusing young girl has ‘unduly lenient’ sentence upped

A man who was jailed for using a young girl to satisfy his sexual urges saw his ‘unduly lenient’ sentence doubled by top judges.

Mark Hessing, 57, of Loslock Road, Urmston , subjected the youngster to a series of horrific sex attacks, which have since blighted her life.

He was found guilty of 13 indecent assaults at the city’s crown court in October, but escaped with only a four-year sentence.

But in a review of the case at the Court of Appeal, three senior judges said that was too short and upped it to eight years.

Hessing, who appeared via a video link from prison, looked shocked and shook his head as Lady Justice Macur delivered her judgment.

‘We come to the conclusion that there is evidence which, beyond doubt, establishes that this victim sustained severe psychological harm,’ she said.

‘All things being taken into account, this series of offending, after trial, would merit a sentence of eight years’ custody.’

The court heard Hessing had subjected the girl, to serious abuse.

But reviewing the sentence at the Court of Appeal, Lady Justice Macur said the impact on the girl meant four years was too short. She had been deeply traumatised by what happened to her, she said.

The term was ‘unduly lenient’ and would be upped to eight years, continued the judge, sitting with Judge Christopher Kinch QC and Mr Justice Andrew Smith.

Hessing’s case was back in court after a reference by government law officer, solicitor general Robert Buckland QC.

March 2016

Churchgoer was repeat viewer of child abuse images

A church goer has been sent on a sex offenders’ course after being found with images which showed very young children suffering serious sexual abuse.

Graham Parkinson carried on accessing the images on file sharing websites even after police seized his computers. He bought a new laptop and carried on, Exeter Crown Court was told.

The 64-year-old was found with offensive images on both his old computer and the new one which he used while on bail.

Parkinson, of North Street, Exeter, admitted making or possessing indecent images of children and was jailed for 14 months, suspended for two years, and ordered to attend an internet sex offenders’ treatment programme.

Recorder Mr Philip Mott, QC, told him: “The aggravating features are that this was against a background of earlier offending, which had been discovered and the offences were committed by using a new computer and hard drive purchased after your arrest.

“In addition there is discernible pain and distress to be seen being suffered by children in two of the images depicted. Some of the children were very young.

“You are aged 64 and it is the interest of the public that you undertake a sex offenders treatment programme.”

William Parkhill, for the prosecution, said the new offences occurred during the lengthy period when Parkinson was originally arrested in 2014 and when he received a ten month suspended sentence for the earlier images in November 2015.

He said there is no evidence he had carried on downloading material after that sentence was passed.

Parkinson was initially identified by another agency from his use of peer to peer file sharing software and the examination of his laptop showed 126 images at the worst category of A, 453 at B and 913 at C.

Warren Robinson, for the defence, said Parkinson has been in custody over these offences since December but has been addressing his issues with the help of the probation service.

He said: “He has been engaging constructively in prison. He is a supervisor in the workshop and is giving counselling classes through his church connections.

“He says he was not a hypocrite. He is horrified by what he did and deeply ashamed.”

January 2016

Sentence delayed as police find more child abuse images

The sentence on a man guilty of downloading child abuse images has been adjourned after police experts found more material on his machine.

Graham Parkinson, aged 64, was already on a suspended sentence for identical offences when his Exeter home was raided again in December.

Parkinson, of North Street, Exeter, has admitted five counts of making indecent photographs of children.

Judge Francis Gilbert, QC, adjourned his sentence at Exeter Crown Court to allow the police’s high tech crime unit to prepare an updated report on new images.

He remanded Parkinson in custody and asked the police to establish whether the newly discovered images were downloaded after the previous suspended sentence was imposed in November.

Mr Neil Traherne, prosecuting, said the further inquiries had been prompted by a basis of plea submitted by Parkinson at a previous hearing.

He said:”A further examination of his computer equipment has been carried out by the high tech crime unit, who have found evidence of a further 259 category A images and an additional 4,500 other images in categories B and C.

“It is important that some of these images seem to have got into his system after the last suspended sentence.”

Mr Peter Seigne, defending, said the adjournment is not opposed.

Indecent images are categorised by the police in three categories, of which the most serious is A, which shows adults having sex with children, sadism, bestiality, or other serious abuse.

Categories B shows sexual activity between children and C shows child nudity.

March 1996

Pervert teacher banned from profession

A pervert primary school head was struck off yesterday.

Teaching bosses told Stephen Lavery – banned from being alone with his OWN kids – he is “unfit to be a teacher”.

The sicko’s sordid lust came to light when one victim – now 26 – spoke to police 15 years later.

In court last year, 45-year-old Lavery admitted molesting two young boys.

He was put on probation for three years and banned from being alone with ANY children.

A Dundee sheriff also ordered him to attend special therapy sessions for sex offenders. Yester-day, the General Teaching Council acted to ensure the bearded beast never teaches again.

A spokesman said: “His name has been taken off the register.

“He is effectively banned from working in a school for the rest of his life.”

He added: “He could still work for the private sector. But that is unlikely as they prefer to use registered teachers.”

Last night, at his home in Sommerville Place East, Dundee, Lavery refused to comment.

His ex-bosses at Tayside Regional Council suspended him as head teacher of Our Lady’s primary in Dundee, as soon as they discovered his secret.

The offences were committed between 1977 and 1980, while Lavery was a teacher at the city’s Mossgiel primary.

A council spokesman said: “When Lavery was asked to appear before a disciplinary hearing, he resigned.”

February 2016

Man avoids prison after being caught with indecent images of children

Stewart Standard of Childwell, Liverpool pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to possession of indecent images of children

Standard was sentenced to a total of 9 months imprisonment which was suspended for two years with supervision. 

He has to sign the Sex Offenders Register for 7 years and will have a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 7 years.

February 2016

Paedophile pensioner avoids prison sentence

A pensioner who abused a young girl has avoided being sent to prison

At the hearing on the 18th February 2016, David Peter Hayman pleaded guilty to inciting a female child aged under 14-years-old to commit an act of gross indecency.

The court heard that Hayman, now living in Kidderminster, stole the girls innocence when she was aged eight years old

The offence took place in Stourport-on-Severn around three decades ago

He received 8 months imprisonment suspended for 12 months.

He is required to register as a sex offender for a period of 10 years.

March 2016

Pervert who planned to record himself having sex with girls is caught in an undercover police sting

A pervert who planned to record himself having sex with two sisters aged just eight and 11 was caught in a covert police sting.

Grandfather Thomas Alderson believed he was having text conversations with with a paedophile dad he met on a TV dating site, who was willing to let his young daughters be raped.

Alderson,a self confessed “swinger” with an addiction to cocaine, had wanted to drug the young girls with “poppers”, use sex toys and have sex which he would video on his phone.

But Newcastle Crown Court heard the 47-year’old, of Coalbank Road, Hetton, was actually communicating with an undercover Metropolitan Police officer involved in an operation to snare paedophiles.

When Alderson believed the dad “Kev” was about to knock on the door and deliver the young sisters from London to be used as he wanted, he was confronted by the police who arrested him.

Officers found a bag of sex toys on the kitchen table in the house Alderson was staying at as well child DVDs showing shocking child abuse, which included the rape of a baby.

Alderson pleaded guilty to attempting to arrange or facilitate the commission of a child sex offence and possessing indecent photographs of children.

Judge Penny Moreland jailed him for five years and said he must sign the sex offenders register and abide by a sexual harm prevention order for life.

The judge said: “It is quite apparent, in the conversations before the meeting was due to take place, you intended to have sexual intercourse and with both of those girls, who you believed to be aged eight and 11.

“I detect no reluctance at all in the transcripts of the conversations.

“You expressed a great deal of enthusiasm for the activities you described.

“When police arrived they found carrier bags containing sex toys, which had been described, and a bottle of poppers, which I am satisfied you intended to use in your activities with these two girls.

“The contents of the carrier bags are clear evidence of your intentions.

“No child was harmed or indeed at risk of harm because this was an undercover officer in contact with you.”

The court heard images of children being abused were found on discs as well as on Alderson’s phones and computer.

The judge told him: “All of those children, whose images you collected, were real children. All of those things happened to little girls for you to collect and view for your pleasure.”

The court heard Alderson had started chatting to the undercover officer in July last year through an advert on a television channel.

After some initial conversations about naturism, his chats with “Kev” took a deeply sinister turn.

There were discussions about meeting in London or at a half way point such as Nottingham.

During the conversations, Alderson outlined in graphic, sickening detail what he wanted to do to the little girls.

He described a collection of toys including handcuffs and leg straps, which he could use.

When the undercover officer said the youngest child liked the film Frozen, Alderson asked if she would be “okay” with full sex.

The court heard when Alderson expected to turn up at the door, he was confronted by the police.

Prosecutor Julie Clemitson told the court: “He was arrested at the time he expected Kev and his two daughters would be walking from the car to his front door.

“The items he described in the conversations, the toys, were in fact present in a carrier bag on the kitchen table, along with a number of DVDs, some of which contained indecent images of children.”

The court heard the collection of over 500 indecent images were in still picture and movie form and some were of the most serious categories.

March 2016

Jail for sex offender who sexually touched young girl

A Maidstone sex offender has been jailed for five years after touching a young girl inappropriately as she slept.

The assault happened at a family barbecue on June 14 last year.

David Papworth, 29, formerly of Waterloo Street, Maidstone, was reportedly drinking in the garden and came back inside the property when everyone else was asleep.

The following day his victim told her mother that Papworth had entered her room and touched her inappropriately.

After handing himself in, Papworth was charged with sexual assault, and was found guilty at a trial after denying it.

DC Emma Crombie said: “David Papworth took advantage of a child who was far too young to understand the gravity of what was happening.

“However, she was able to tell her mother and from that we were able to gain evidence from a very brave young girl.

“I want to thank the victim and her family for the courage to go through what must have been a very traumatic experience, but that led to a man being rightly convicted for a very serious crime. He can now be prevented from causing harm to others.”

Papworth was sentenced on Friday 26 February 2016.

March 2016

Dressage trainer who worked with Olympic champions jailed after being caught with horse porn

An internationally-respected dressage trainer who worked with Olympic gold medal riders has been jailed for possessing bestiality pornography involving horses.

Liam Fisher, 37, also had child abuse images and asked for an online sex show involving an eight year-old boy.

The material was discovered when police arrested a man on the Isle of Wight and examined his computer. He was found to have a link with Fisher and, after officers searched his Cotswolds home, he confessed and told them: “My life is now over.”

March 2016

Takeaway driver who messaged and met girl pleads guilty to child sex offences

A takeaway delivery driver from Rotherham who sent sexual messages to a 15-year-old girl online before meeting her has pleaded guilty to inciting sexual activity with a child.

Aftab Hussain, also known as Amaan Hussain, of Holywell Place, admitted two counts of inciting sexual activity with a child, attempted witness intimidation and possession of cannabis at Sheffield Crown Court.

Hussain contacted the girl, who was 15 at the time, via social media.

His messages became increasingly sexual despite the fact he knew her age.

Hussain then met the girl and took her out in his car while making deliveries. He went on to send her inappropriate messages online before threatening her with violence if she told anyone about it.

Hussain was arrested on 16 September 2015 and police also found cannabis in his house.

Detective Inspector John Fitzgibbons, the lead officer in the case, said: “Hussain is much older than the victim and sent increasingly sexualised messages to her; he asked her for sex despite the fact that he was a grown man and she was a child.

“Then, when it became known what he had done, he threatened the girl and said he would hurt her and her family if she told anyone.

“In spite of his threats, the girl has shown immense bravery, as has her family and the other witnesses involved. Being involved in such an investigation has been an extremely traumatic experience but they have shown great courage and have been fully supported by all agencies involved.

“This sends a very clear message that South Yorkshire Police will not hesitate to prosecute anyone making contact with underage people in this way; we take such reports extremely seriously and we will do all we can to stop offenders and protect children and young people.”

Ian Thomas, Strategic Director of Children and Young People’s Services at Rotherham Council added: “Once again this is another successful prosecution for the victims and survivors of sexual abuse.

“Just one week ago, more than 100 years of jail sentences were handed to six perpetrators following Operation Clover joint investigation.

“On top of this we are seeing results for other CSE prosecutions, which has already resulted in a dangerous offender, Tom Wilkes, being sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment in November last year.

“It is important that people understand that sadly CSE is not just a thing of the past, but happening now, all over the country.

“These results show that here in Rotherham we are now working in partnership with the police, CPS and our voluntary sector colleagues to put people who commit this terrible crime behind bars. “We have a long way to go but hopefully this outcome will help instil confidence in other victims and survivors, so they too can come forward and seek justice.”

Hussain will be sentenced on April 11 at Sheffield Crown Court

March 2016

A 21-YEAR-OLD Coatbridge man has been put on the sex offenders’ register and told he faces a prison sentence after being caught with child abuse images he downloaded as a teenager.

Lee McArthur, of Kirkshaws, pleaded guilty at Airdrie Sheriff Court to having indecent images of children between 2013 and 2014.

Prosecutor Anne Frances Hilley told the court: “The offence happened at the family home where he stays with his parent. The devices used were found in his bedroom.”

Cyber crime detectives carried out an early-morning raid at McArthur’s home on May 6 last year and seized a laptop and mobile phone.

Ms Hilley continued: “A preliminary search found indecent images of children, both still and moving. A total of 39 were found.”

McArthur was arrested but made no comment to police.

Defence lawyer Eddie Kelly said: “He has been seeing a psychiatrist as of late.”

McArthur denied being in possession of indecent photographs of children between April 2013 and May 2015, which was accepted by the Crown.

Sheriff Derek O’Carroll told McArthur: “I can’t sentence you just now. You are a first offender.

“I will call for a criminal justice social work report and a restriction of liberty order. Prison is a very lively possibility and all options are open.”

Sentence was deferred until March 29 and McArthur was released on bail.

He was put on the sex offenders’ register and told the length of time would be decided when he is sentenced

March 2016

Pervert admits Southampton children’s home sex offences

March 2016

Man fined after child images found on his phone and tablet computer

A man who was caught with indecent images of children on his tablet and mobile phone has been fined and sentenced to a community order for 12 months.

At Bolton Magistrates’ Court, 52-year-old Kenneth Davies admitted two counts of making indecent photographs of children by downloading them from sites on the internet.

Nicola Ormerod, prosecuting, told magistrates how police, using a search warrant, raided Davies’ home on October 7 last year and found 28 category C indecent images of children on his tablet and a further image, which had been transferred from the device to his mobile phone.

The images were of children estimated to be between aged eight and 14 years.

Peter Leather, defending, said Davies, of Chorley New Road, Bolton, has significant mental health and psychiatric issues and has had issues with alcohol for years.

He added that Davies has already sought help from experts about his drink problem.

Mr Leather said: “He very much wants to engage with all professionals to receive the help he needs.

“He stressed that Davies is unlikely to appear in court again.

“His lesson has been learnt. He wants to put all this behind him.”

As part of the community order Davies must undertake 40 days of rehabilitation activities and his phone and tablet will be destroyed.

He was fined £335 and ordered to pay £145 in costs and charges.

In addition Davies was placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order was made banning him from deleting his internet browsing history and forcing him to make his computer equipment available to police for inspection on demand.

March 2016

Singing teacher’s conviction for indecent images of children haul

A singing teacher from Hereford who downloaded indecent images of children told police the habit was “an itch that needed to be scratched”.

Police found more than 300 images after searching the home of Roger Langford last February.

The 53-year-old, who has worked at Hereford College of Arts, was forced to stop his work as a singing coach in schools.

He later admitted what he had done to members of a Herefordshire choir, saying work is leaving him “quicker than lemmings jumping off a cliff”.

Langford, of Hinton Road in South Wye, Hereford, was handed a three-year community order at Hereford Crown Court last Friday after admitting ten offences of making indecent images of a child.

Prosecutor Anthony Cartin said the defendant made full admissions to police.

“He said it was like an itch that needed scratching,” Mr Cartin told the court.

“Like visual bulimia. He would look and then puke.”

The offences came to light when officers at the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre tracked Langford down after he paid to register with a website called Indian Showgirls.

This website allowed access to another website where the indecent images were viewed.

Mr Cartin said one of the images was the most serious Category A, with four at Category B and 312 Category C.

The court heard how Langford, who has no previous convictions, has since gone online to seek help for his compulsion.

Alexander Small, defending, said his client was “atypical” in the way he has dealt with his problem, given he has taken steps to address his behaviour.

“His life has changed completely,” he said.

“He had to stop working in schools where he visited as a peripatetic singing coach. He has also worked with those who suffer with Alzheimers and Parkinson’s. He has approached this and his demons in a mature manner.”

He said the defendant loved being a member of choirs, adding his conviction has “deprived others of his abilities”.

Langford told his wife about the reason for the police visit. He also read a statement to a choir he attends, saying: “I cannot say how sorry I am. Work is leaving me quicker than lemmings jumping off a cliff.

“I’ve been seeking help with a charity. In time, I hope to make amends.”

Judge Nicolas Cartwright said it must have been obvious to Langford that those in the photos were real children, adding the defendant “contributed to their demand”.

Alongside the three-year community order was a supervision requirement for the same period.

He was also made the subject of an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

March 2016

Highland man with indecent pictures and video of children avoids jail

A man who stored indecent pictures of children on his two computers has been spared jail.

Sheriff Andrew Berry told Liam Stewart that he did not think a custodial sentence would be appropriate.

Instead, he gave the 25-year-old a chance to address his health difficulties by placing him under supervision for three years.

Stewart will also take part in the cognitive behaviour programme, Moving On.

Wick Sheriff Court heard previously that police who raided Stewart’s home at Main Street, Lybster, on April 29, 2014 found one of his computers with three files on it and a second computer with four images and a video.

His lawyer, solicitor-advocate George Mathers, described Stewart as “an extremely vulnerable young man” who suffered from a depressive illness.

Mr Mathers said a background report on his client used the term “a tormented soul”.

He had developed feelings of guilt over the indecent images which led to mental health problems.

Mr Mathers said: “He has expressed relief that it has all come out and that he will get the help and treatment he requires. He has been extremely unhappy for a long time.”

The court heard that since being caught with the obscene images, Stewart had “completely isolated himself” in his home, with the exception of trips to supermarket.

Sheriff Berry said allowing him to address the outstanding issues in his life was more important than getting him to carry out unpaid community work.

Stewart was placed on the sex offenders register for three years and his two computers were forfeited.

March 2016

Former Lincoln clergyman pleads guilty to sexual assault of schoolgirl

A former Lincolnshire clergyman was on Friday, March 4 warned he faces jail after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting a teenage girl.

Stephen Crabtree, who served as the rector of Washingborough and Heighington until 2014, admitted a total of six charges of indecent assault on a 15-year-old girl when he appeared before Lincoln Crown Court.

The offences occurred between April 1992 and April 1993.

Judge Simon Hirst adjourned sentence for the preparation of a probation report.

But Crabtree, who also served as a clergyman in Mareham le Fen, was warned by the judge: “You have entered guilty pleas to serious offences.

“I’m going to adjourn your case for the preparation of a pre-sentence report. Please don’t think for one moment that the fact that I’m adjourning means that you won’t get locked up for this. Expect custody.”

Crabtree, 59, who now lives in Bradford, West Yorkshire, was granted unconditional bail to await sentence at the end of this month.

March 2016

Five-year term for sex offender 

A SEX offender who assaulted a child has been jailed for five years.

Lee Edwards, aged 25, had denied six counts of sexual offences and stood trial in Swansea last month.

He was convicted by a jury of five counts of assault of a child under 13 by penetration and one count of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.

Edwards had touched a young girl inappropriately before the victim came forward and told her mother.

He had performed a sex act in a car in front of a child.

Edwards, of Addison Place in Port Talbot, was jailed for five years by Recorder Peter Griffiths, sitting in Merthyr Crown Court.

September 2004

Carer jailed for sex with vulnerable teen

A NORTH Wales man was jailed yesterday after having sex with a teenager he was caring for.

The youngster was taken into care after being sexually assaulted by her dad, Mold Crown Court heard.

Michael Brooks, 46, of Bennett’s Lane, Oakenholt, near Flint, was jailed for 18 months.

He claimed the girl was infatuated with him.

Judge Huw Daniel said he was not impressed by Brooks’ attempt to shift responsibility to the girl, aged 16.

Former miner Brooks admitted five charges of having intercourse while in a position of trust, and six charges of indulging in sexual activity while in a position of trust.

Brooks must register as a sex offender for five years and he was also banned from working with children for the same period.

Police were called in when the pair disappeared.

When they were tracked down, the girl revealed their sexual relationship.

Brooks’ wife had earlier become suspicious of the amount of time the pair spent together.

The teenager was moved from his care, because of concerns, but he continued to see her.

Robert Trevor-Jones, prosecuting, said Brooks was a carer employed by a private company. He was previously a carer for social services.

The court heard Brooks had counselled the girl about her stepfather’s sexual abuse. But he and the girl became infatuated with each other.

He denied he groomed or coerced the girl in any way and claimed she came on to him.

He claimed while it was morally wrong, he did not know it was an offence to have sex with a girl aged 16 while he was a carer.

Nicholas Mason, defending, said the girl became infatuated with Brooks and told a social worker she fancied him.

She was the instigator rather than him, but because of his position of trust, he should have shown restraint.

It had been a total aberration on his part and was not indicative of his past behaviour.

“He did not know that indulging in a sexual relation-ship with this 16-year-old girl, while morally incorrect, was against the law. In fact, until 2000, it was not,” he said..