March 2016

Man who downloaded child sexual abuse images spared jail

A store manager from Gainsborough who downloaded seven videos of the highest level child sexual abuse on to his home computer has today (Friday, March 11) been ordered to register as a sex offender for five years.

Billy Steven Middlemass, 31, was caught with the material after police received information that his computer IP address had been used to download images of children.

Lincoln Crown Court heard officers removed his computer after executing a search warrant at the home Middlemass shared with his new wife on Lindrick Drive, Gainsborough, in October 2014.

During his first interview Middlemass admitted using file sharing sites and viewing adult pornography.

Jonathan Dunne, prosecuting, told the court Middlemass was something of a “tech guy” who was good with computers and worked as the manager of a retail store.

In his spare time Middlemass said he repaired computers for extra money and connected to his own Wifi while clearing viruses.

When police examined the computer owned by Middlesmass they found seven videos of child sexual abuse. The videos had been separated and renamed with each one given a number.

Mr Dunne said the videos included girls as young as six-years-old and were in the highest category of child sexual abuse.

Mr Dunne added: “All had been opened and viewed by Windows Player.”

When he was re-interviewed Middlemass admitted having an interest in “teen porn” and told officers he visited his GP and had been diagnosed as an internet pron addict. The court heard Middlemass then sough counselling.

Mark Kelly, mitigating, said there were 13 references on behalf of Middlemass whose remorse was genuine.

Mr Kelly said: “He is otherwise a very decent young man. ”

Middlemass, 31, of Lindrick Drive, Gainsborough, pleaded guilty to a charge of making seven indecent images of children between June 17 and 20, 2014.

He was sentenced to three years probation supervision, ordered to complete a sex offenders rehabilitation course and must pay £350 court costs. He was also made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order and must register as a sex offender for five years.

Passing sentence Recorder Stuart Sprawson told Middlemass he could spare him jail as he had pleaded guilty and sought counselling.

The Recorder said: “I want to stop you further offending.”

March 2016

Pensioner pleads guilty to possessing thousands of indecent images of children

A PENSIONER has admitted possessing thousands of indecent images of children after being discovered in an international police investigation into child pornography.

Philip Mitchell, 69, of Pencombe, pleaded guilty to 12 charges of possessing indecent photographs of children at Hereford Magistrates Court. Last Thursday’s hearing was told that of the 4,540 images found, 283 of the still images and 58 moving images were Category A – of the most serious nature.

Lesley Ashton, prosecuting, said that Mitchell first came to police attention as part of Project Spade in Toronto, Canada.

The international operation focused on a firm which distributed DVDs of naked children, which it marketed as “naturist.”

Mrs Ashton said as part of the operation, UK police were informed after deliveries were tracked to Mitchell’s address.

So far the operation claims to have led to 350 arrests across 50 countries.

“Initially Canadian police were involved in an investigation in Toronto which uncovered a website. UK police were also contacted as part of Project Spade,” said Mrs Ashton.

“As a result of that they tracked a number of deliveries to the defendant’s home address.Due to the nature of the material police uncovered, items of computer equipment were seized from his home address with still and moving images on them.”

“A number of computer discs were also recovered.”

Magistrates adjourned the case until April for sentencing at a crown court.Mitchell was released on conditional bail not to have any unsupervised contact with children.

March 2016

Primary school head teacher found guilty of sexual offences against young children

A VILE paedophile headteacher who molested a primary school pupil’s breasts under her uniform has been found guilty.

Christopher Field, 47, who also downloaded sickening child abuse images onto his computer, lived just ten miles from a SECOND paedophile teacher who was jailed this week.

Christopher Field, 47, committed the offences against two girls in 2010 and 2011 while head of Woodcote Primary School in Oxfordshire.

Field, of Chieveley, Berkshire, was found guilty of two counts of assault by touching a girl under 13, and one of making indecent images of a child

However jurors were unable to decide on two further child sex offences and Field will have to wait until next week to hear if prosecutors will press for a re-trial.

Field has been bailed to appear before the same court on 18 March.

The Crown Prosecution Service has until then to decide whether one count of sexual assault and one count of causing or inciting a girl under 18 to engage in sexual activity will be the subject of a retrial.

The offences were reported to Thames Valley Police in 2014.

Robert Neill, 63, was caged for 21 years at Reading Crown Court on Wednesday for the systematic rape and abuse of young boys from 1988 to 2003.

Both paedophiles are from the same part of Berkshire but the cases are not thought to be linked.

Neill, of Thatcham, Berks, was sentenced at Reading Crown Court on Wednesday, for a campaign of depravity which included the rape of a boy under 16 years, four counts of indecent assault on boys under the age of 16, two counts of indecency with a child under 14 years, one count of indecent assault on a boy aged 12 or 13 years old and two counts of indecency with a child aged 12 or 13 years old.

The attacks concerned five victims who were all aged 13 and under and took place between 1988 and 2003, in Berkshire.

For MORE on the case of Neill – click this link 

March 2016

Pervert admits abusing child

A 57-year-old Newtownabbey man was put on the Sex Offenders’ Register on Monday, March 7, after he pleaded guilty to charges of historical sex abuse dating back more than two decades ago.

Joseph McDowell, who has an address in the Manse Drive area of New Mossley, admitted a total of six charges of gross indecency with, or towards a child between October 31 and December 1, 1993.

McDowell, who is profoundly deaf, made his pleas before Belfast Crown Court, with the help of a sign language interpreter.

No details about the sex abuse of his single victim, who cannot be named to protect their identity, were given to Judge Alastair Devlin, who released McDowell on continuing bail until next month when he will be sentenced.

Given his guilty pleas, McDowell was made to sign on the Sex Offenders’ Register immediately.

However, the period of his registration will depend on the sentence he receives and could range from several months to life.

McDowell is due back in court for sentencing on April 28.

March 2016

‘I won’t let him ruin my life’ – schoolgirl rape victim’s bravery

The schoolgirl rape victim of a teenage sex attacker says she is determined not to let him ruin her life.

The brave 15-year-old has spoke out in the hope it will encourage other victims not to suffer alone.

She was attacked in Sunderland city centre by Bradley Mort, 19, who is now serving a seven-year sentence in a young offenders’ institution after a jury found him guilty of rape after a trial at Newcastle Crown Court.

Mort was subject to a two-year supervision order after pleading guilty to a previous charge of sexual assault and attempted sexual assault, when he carried out the attack on wasteland near Park Lane interchange.

It was weeks later before the teenager – who had been making her way home after being contacted by her parents telling her she was late – would tell anyone what had happened to her on that night.

“I was on my way home when I heard him shout,” said the girl, who is undergoing counselling after her ordeal.

“I just froze. He just grabbed me and dragged me onto the wasteland and raped me. It was hard to tell someone.

“I was numb. I couldn’t believe what had happened to me.

“But I’m glad I told someone. Some people didn’t believe me, that was hard and having to tell people what happened.

“But the police are there for you and do support you.

“I just don’t want anyone else to go through what I went through.

“I still have nightmares and flashbacks from the night, I know I have got a long way to go, but hard as it is, I am not going to let him ruin my life.”

Her distraught father said: “I just feel as though we have let her down as parents. As a parent you just want to protect your child, but they should be allowed out.

“I was hoping I would be happy after he was sentenced, but I wasn’t. I was just so angry.

“He has turned our lives upside down. My daughter is just a shell of her former self.

“She is having counselling to try to rebuild her life, but at the minute she just seems to have lost interest in everything.

“She is so brave, to not only tell someone, but to not back down and go through with the trial, even when there were people who didn’t believe her.

“We are so incredibly proud of her.”

Mort was also placed on an indefinite sexual-harm prevention order

March 2016

 Former soldier pleads guilty to sexual offences against child

A pervert has pleaded guilty to six offences of sexual activity with a child.

He also admitted causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity between September 1 and November 27, 2015

Colin Davies, aged 30, of Westbourne Drive, Tunstall, will be sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court after a report is prepared on him by a probation officer.

He was remanded in custody.

March 2016

Schoolgirl sex assault man is walking tour guide in Northern Ireland town

David ‘Davy’ Hall, 46, was convicted a decade ago of indecently assaulting a schoolgirl at a formal.

But that has not stopped him cosying up for photos with unsuspecting Antrim DUP councillor Nigel Kells – who is Junior Minister Emma Pengelly’s election campaign manager – and who has innocently endorsed the tours on social media.

Speaking to Sunday Life yesterday, Cllr Kells said: “I know Davy, as we go to the same church. I also knew he had been sacked from his job as a teacher, but I didn’t know why.

“I’ve only lived in Antrim eight years.”

Hall groped his victim during a dinner dance at a Templepatrick Hotel.

After he appeared in court he was sacked from his job teaching history at Parkhall College and was also booted out of the Ulster Unionist Party and Orange Order.

A history buff, he recently started holding £5-per-head education tours around Antrim during which he points out locations associated with the 1798 United Irishmen rebellion.

Hall told Sunday Life his walks have the full support of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council – a claim that is backed up by the fact they are being promoted as part of its Market in the Square event on March 19.

A number of Antrim and Newtownabbey councillors’ social media sharing of the tours highlight further political support.

“Of course the council know about my background, and it has accepted that I’ve moved on,” 

“The incident I was involved in occurred 14 years ago. I’ve paid the price.

“I lost my job and my career. I’m trying my best to move on,” he added.

Hall has a number of Saturday morning walking tours planned throughout March.

Writing on Facebook about being invited to take part in the council Market on the Square event he said: “Delighted to have been invited by my local council to have my tour marketed as part of this event.”

March 2016

Man jailed after leaving baby blind and brain damaged

A Midlothian man who repeatedly threw a nine-week-old baby in the air and shook him, causing him to suffer “catastrophic” injuries, has been jailed for four years.

Jay Bell tossed the tot in the air, causing the baby to hit its head on a wall and a Moses basket before falling to the floor.

He then repeatedly shook the baby until it began to cry.

Jay Bell’s actions on 26 July 2013 caused the infant to suffer brain bleeding, retinal haemorrhages, kidney damage and a broken rib and fractured ankle.

As a result of the brain injury, the child suffers from cerebral palsy and is now registered blind and has difficulty using his limbs

Bell, 23, from Mayfield in Dalkeith, last month admitted to two charges.

He pleaded guilty to culpable and reckless conduct towards the child to his severe injury, permanent impairment and to the danger of his life and a second charge of wilfully neglecting the baby and failing to seek medical attention for him.

Passing sentence at the High Court in Edinburgh on Thursday, judge Paul Arthurson QC described the offences as “extremely serious”.

The baby did not receive hospital treatment for about two weeks and Bell took about five months to reveal what had happened to the child when he was in his care.

The court heard the child was eventually admitted to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children on 10 August 2013 and it took Bell until December that year to disclose fully what had happened to the baby.

Had the child gone to hospital straight after suffering the brain injury, medical intervention may have limited the impact of that injury, the judge said.

March 2016

‘Sadistic’ Northants paedophile claimed he was One Direction star to snare young girls

A ‘sadistic’ paedophile who tricked a young girl into sending a naked picture of herself after he pretended to be a member of boy band One Direction has been jailed.

Matthew Taylor, aged 24, of High Street, Silverstone, persuaded a young girl to send an indecent image of herself after he used the name Liam Payne during online conversations,

Northampton Crown Court heard Taylor targeted young girls online by infiltrating chat rooms aimed at 13 to 19 year olds.

Victoria Rose, prosecuting, said Taylor was arrested after the mother of one of his victim’s uncovered worrying messages on her daughter’s mobile phone.

The court heard 200,000 messages were found on Taylor’s computer and mobile phone, including many that were of an illegal, sexual nature.

Investigators uncovered the fact Taylor had used search terms to find indecent images of children.

Ms Rose said Taylor used a variety of identities and email addresses to chat with young girls on social media websites.

One of the identities Taylor used was that of Liam Payne, a member of the boy band One Direction.

In one case, Taylor asked a young teenage girl for a naked picture of herself after he convinced her he was the popstar.

Taylor told the girl, who was excited to speak to him, he would call her after she sent the picture and said the song he was currently writing would be about her.

The court heard that Taylor also pretended to be a teenage girl himself and used a picture of a young female to trick other victims.

Taylor also admitted distributing indecent images of children to other paedophiles on the internet and encouraged the commission of a sexual assault on a toddler.

Her Honour Judge Adrienne Lucking said a conversation between Taylor and a man in the USA in which they described how they wanted to abuse the child was “sadistic and revolting”.

The court heard that Taylor also tricked a teenage girl into sending an indecent image of herself after he told her he would post a naked picture of her on social networks and on pornographic sites.

Judge Lucking said: “There was clearly a tormenting and sadistic tone in the messages you sent to her.

“It could not have been more embarrassing, distressing or humiliating for a teenage girl.”

Police also uncovered 42 of the most serious category A indecent images of children, 13 category B and 82 category C.

They also found an image of extreme pornography involving Taylor performing a sexual act with a dog that he had then “bragged about” online.

Dominic Woolard, mitigating, said his client was someone of “limited sexual and relationship experience”.

Mr Woolard said he had been bullied at school, had few friends, and used the internet world as a form of “escapism”.

He said; “That escapism that started as a taboo world then led onto the criminal acts.”

Judge Lucking said the fact Taylor had pretended to be an international popstar demonstrated “predatory” behaviour.

She said: “One of your victims really believed you were Liam Payne.

“You used a false identity to cover up your real age and identity.

“It shows the lengths you were prepared to go to ensure young girls engaged and spoke with you.”

Judge Lucking said she believed Taylor had a “predatory sexual interest in young girls” and exhibited “deceptive and manipulative behaviour” to take advantage of their vulnerability.

Taylor was sentenced to five years in prison for encouraging the commission of a sexual assault on a child, two years for distributing indecent images of children, five years for blackmail, eight months for possessing the indecent images and four months for possessing the extreme pornographic image. All these sentences will be served concurrently.

He was given a four-year jail sentence for inciting a child to engage in sexual activity as well as a four-year extended licence period because he was assessed as “dangerous”.

Judge Lucking said Taylor must serve at least two thirds of his four-year sentence before he will be considered for parole, meaning he is likely to serve two years and eight months in custody before being considered for release on licence.

He was also made the subject of an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and will be placed on the sex offenders’ register.

March 2016

The sick pervert who controlled worldwide child abuse from his bungalow

From his bungalow in a pleasant cul-de-sac in Bamber Bridge, pensioner John Hayes controlled a worldwide web of child abuse.

As Hayes, 66, today begins an eight-year jail sentence, we can reveal that his vile activities lead to the abuse of children as far away as Africa.

He was finally stopped after Devon and Cornwall Police arrested a man who had engaged in lurid online char with Hayes.

At first Hayes, of Bleasedale Close, Bamber Bridge, claimed he had been a victim of a scam when he was confronted with his computer history, but later entered guilty pleas to 14 offences.

His offences included sending money to parents in impoverished countries around the world and persuading them to abuse their own children while filming it.

The married father, wearing glasses and a khaki green coat, was emotionless as he was jailed for eight years and nine months.

Judge Jacqueline Beech, sitting at Preston Crown Court, told him: “You procured a mother who purported to be in desperate circumstances to perform sex acts for money while allowing you to make lewd requests.

“You have a sexual interest in children and your criminality involved inciting children to engage in sexual activity or at the very least that is what you thought you were doing

She said records of his online chat history with children indicated he later went on a webcam to correspond with them, and told him his behaviour was “manipulative and amounted to grooming.”

She added his attempts to incite children into sexual activity were “disgusting and more reprehensible”.

She said: “You have recently suffered prostate cancer but this is not something that would cause the court to step back from custodial sentence. You pose a high risk of reconviction for sexual offences.”

The court heard he had used various chat rooms using applications predominantly used by children, and had been directed to children who would correspond with him by a fellow paedophile.

Hayes was arrested as a result of information from Devon and Cornwall Police, in relation to the sharing and distribution of indecent images of children.

During the investigation officers uncovered images and videos of children in addition to a comprehensive amount of online chat documents show Hayes had been contacting children as young as 12 from various countries around the world.

His victims included a young African girl in Ghana.

Hayes admitted causing or inciting a child to engage in pornography.

Two charges, from January 2014 and December 2013, concern a 15-year-old. Another in January 2014 relates to a 14 year old boy.

An offence between January and February 2014 was committed against a 12 year old, and another, between January and May 2014, involved a 13-year-old girl.

Between March and June 2014, a 15-year-old boy fell victim.

Hayes also watched an eight-year-old girl being abused between September 2013 and April 2014.

He also admits distributing an indecent image of a Swedish boy being abused and distributing images of a nine-year-old on two occasions in January 2014.

Hayes admits further five counts of possessing indecent images and movies of children ranging from category A – the most serious – to C.

Today DC Ian Zanelli, officer in the case, said: “I would describe this as a harrowing case which is particularly vile in nature due to the repeated lengths via online chat rooms the defendant would go to in order to locate potential child victims.

“This case is clearly aggravated by the fact Mr Hayes facilitated the abuse of children live via the internet for his own pleasure and with at least one victim even sent money to an African country to request the abuse take place for his personal viewing.”

He was given an indefinite Sexual Offences Prevention Order restricting his internet use and contact with under 16s.

March 2016

Pervert molested girl of 8 by pretending sex abuse was part of board game

A pervert molested an eight-year-old girl by pretending the sexual abuse was part of a BOARD GAME.

Sick Brian Graham told the child the assault was a forfeit in the Game of Life

A court heard Graham introduced a sordid system in which a player had to carry out a sexual act if their luck ran out in the game.

Now, 28 years later, Graham has finally been jailed after a jury convicted him of indecent assault and indecency with a child.

Graham, now 45, of Norfolk Street, Sunderland, is a married dad-of-six who continues to protest his innocence.

Jailing him for two years at Newcastle Crown Court, Judge Robert Adams said: “This occurred in her bedroom, where you were playing The Game of Life.

“During the course of this game playing, there was a system of forfeits introduced by you, depending on the luck of the player during the course of the game.”

The court heard the ordeal has had a huge effect on the victim, now a grown woman, who was branded a liar in cross examination during the trial and now sees a counsellor.

She said in a victim statement she has been left with feelings of guilt, anger and disappointment.

Graham was also found guilty of indecent assault on a 14-year-old girl at around the same time.

The court heard that, despite the seriousness of the offending, Graham has been assessed as posing a low risk of re-conviction.

The judge said Graham has lost his “good name” by his actions all those years ago.

Graham must sign the sex offenders register for 10 years and abide by restraining orders banning any contact with his victims for life.

March 2016

Man downloaded 12,000 indecent images of children

A former call centre worker who made almost 12,000 indecent pictures of children has made his first appearance at court.

Martyn Butcher, 29, of Abbotsford Road, Marton, pleaded guilty to three charges of making indecent photographs of children, some at the highest level of indecency.

He also admitted two charges of possessing indecent pictures of children.

Malcolm Isherwood, prosecuting, said that some images were of the highest level of indecency and asked that Butcher be sentenced at crown court.

Butcher was bailed to appear at Preston Crown Court on April 16 by District Judge Jeff Brailsford sitting at Blackpool Magistrates’ Court. He must not have an contact with under-16s.

March 2016

Man pleads guilty to downloading indecent images of children

A 31-YEAR-OLD Long Rock man has said he feels racked with guilt for downloading indecent images of children.

At Truro Magistrates’ Court, Derek Bennetts, of Godolphin Road, pleaded guilty to making 126 indecent movie images of children between 2014 and 2015 at Penzance and guilty to possessing four extreme pornographic images in 2015.

Alison May, for the CPS, said there were ongoing intelligence gathering exercises in relation to images of children which were shared across the internet and this had led to officers searching Bennetts’ address in February last year, after which he was arrested.

He was compliant with officers and indicated his laptop which was seized for examination, she said.

The magistrates adjourned the case to March 29, asking for that report.

March 2016

Man admits grooming schoolgirls he befriended on Whatsapp

A man has admitted engaging in sexual activity with a schoolgirl and grooming three others after befriending them on Whatsapp.

Taiwo Ayotenve Benson, 43, of Neasden used Whatsapp and Blackberry Messenger to bombard his victims with sexually explicit messages.

He sent offers of gifts, such as new phones, in return for sexual favours, Harrow Crown Court was told.

Benson pleaded guilty on Friday to four counts of engaging in sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 14 years after grooming her over 18 months. 

He also admitted a number of other offences including causing two of his victims to watch sexual acts and taking and possessing indecent images of children.

Benson, of Chartley Avenue, attempted to facilitate the commission of a child sex offence against a second girl, under the age of 16, following grooming and efforts to meet with her, harassed a third victim, and sent malicious communications to a fourth female aged 16.

He will be sentenced on April 1 for his crimes, which were committed between September 2014 and November 2015.

March 2016

Sex attacker who abused young girl in town cemetery jailed

A SEX attacker who lured a young girl with money and sweets before abusing her has been jailed for four years.

George Smith had his victim perform sex acts on him in a cemetery in North Road, Darlington, and also indecently assaulted her.

Smith was also accused of twice trying to rape the youngster, once in a caravan belonging to his family.

Recorder Bernard Gateshill jailed Smith for four years, at which point a woman who had been sat in the public gallery fled the court, crying hysterically

Describing the events in the cemetery, the prosecution said: “At the young age she (the victim) was, she did not realise what he was doing to her”

“But she knew it wasnt right because she recalls a few times hearing people walk past and the defendant holding his finger over her mouth saying ‘shhh’

The prosecutor said Smith of Park Lane, Darlington, would whistle to get the victims attention and also gave her sweets and money.

When arrested Smith denied he was responsible for any of the abuse and said the victim was mistaken. He also said he was not the only George Smith in the area.

March 2016

Man jailed for child sex offences

A 43-year-old man has been jailed for 12 years for sexual offences against a child.

Ian Alexander Scott, also known as Ian Alexander Docherty, of Beech Tree Avenue in Mansfield Woodhouse, pleaded guilty to:

• 15 charges of sexual activity with a boy under the age of 16  

• Two charges of causing a child under the age of 13 to watch a sexual act.

The offences began in 2009 as online contact with a 12-year-old boy and over a three-year period evolved into grooming.

Scott, who was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday 4 March 2016, is also subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.

March 2016

Former Boys Brigade supervisor, 83, had indecent images of children

A FORMER supervisor with Christian youth charity The Boys’ Brigade was found to have photos of child abuse on his computer.

Bertram Ellery, 83, who is wheelchair-bound and suffers with heart and kidney problems, was handed a six-month suspended prison sentence at Chester Crown Court on Tuesday.

He admitted making and possessing 16 indecent images of children between December 2005 and November 2014, five of which were at the most serious category A and depicted boys who were tied up or gagged.

Ellery, of Francis Street, Newton, Chester, was arrested after an engineer spotted some of the photos while fixing his boiler and tipped off the police.

Prosecuting, Mandy Nepal said: “Officers attended the defendant’s property following a report made by a member of staff from the district housing trust who had attended to service a boiler. While there he became concerned as a result of images he came across on the defendant’s computer.”

Three computers were confiscated and were found to contain 16 images of adolescent boys – five at category A, six at category B and five at category C.

In interview, Ellery admitted having downloaded images and storing them in a folder called ‘friends’. He also admitted using internet search terms search as ‘young boy punishment’ and ‘gay males’, but denied being sexually attracted to young boys.

“He told officers he had searched for material out of curiosity,” Miss Nepal said.

Gareth Roberts, defending, said Ellery had pleaded guilty to the offences and was remorseful he had contributed to any abuse.

He said Ellery had enjoyed a “productive and law-abiding” life until now, and proved an asset to The Boys’ Brigade in the past.

“For him it was something he very much enjoyed doing and something which he appears to have done successfully,” Mr Roberts said. “He had a long-lasting connection with a number of boys and men.”

He suggested if Ellery had grown up in a “more enlightened age”, he may not have gone on to commit any offences.

“Sadly, he was brought up in a different age when there were different attitudes towards sexual proclivities,” Mr Roberts said.

The judge, Recorder Patrick Thompson, said Ellery was in denial if he maintained he only downloaded the images out of curiosity.

He also expressed concern at the defendant’s former links to The Boys’ Brigade, although none of the charges relate to his time with the organisation.

The judge told Ellery: “Without people like you prepared to provide a market for this sort of material, then the material wouldn’t be made. If there wasn’t money in it, and a market in it, then people wouldn’t go to the trouble of abusing young boys and making images of it. 

“In your own way, you have assisted in the abuse of these young boys and that is something of which you should be deeply ashamed.”

The six-month prison term will be suspended for two years, and Ellery was also made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. He must sign on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years.

October 2014

Child abuse pics shame of Airbus ‘high flyer’

AN AIRBUS worker has been spared jail after admitting making and distributing indecent images of young children.

French national Antoine Bruel, 26, was working in the human resources department of the Broughton wing-making plant when police discovered he was linked to an online paedophile network 

Bruel was caught after his online activities came to light during a separate police investigation in to a fellow internet user who had been distributing indecent images of children via the Skype network, Chester Crown Court heard.

Bruel pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children, five counts of distributing indecent images of young children, and one count of possessing indecent images, following his arrest in November last year.

Peter Hussey, prosecuting, said police found a total of 975 indecent images on Bruel’s computer hard drive when they visited his home.
The images – a mixture of stills and video footage of children being sexually abused, were among some of the most serious category of images, Mr Hussy said.

Bruel, formerly of Seller Street, Boughton, Chester, was described as a “high-flyer” in his and career admitted everything to police. He told the court he was deeply ashamed of his acts.

Bruel resigned from his Airbus post in February and returned home to France to live with his parents and begin therapy to help determine his motivation behind his offences, Brendan Rogers, defending, told the court.

Mr Hussey added: “The defendant made full and frank confessions to police confirming that he used the internet to become connected to a Skype paedophile network.
“He admitted downloading images and sending them on to other people in that community.”

Mr Rogers referred to details of a pre-sentence report prepared on behalf of Bruel, which he said would assist the court in understanding possible motivations for Bruel’s crimes.

“Here we have a 26-year-old man with a good job, a high-flyer in his career,” Mr Rogers said.

“He enjoyed his career at Airbus but in the background there appears there was a darker side to him.

“He does not seek to make excuse. He is deeply ashamed of what he has done.”

Sentencing Bruel to a combined three years imprisonment, suspended for two years, the Recorder of Chester Judge Elgan Edwards said: “It is a tragedy to see someone of your age in the dock of this Crown court, someone of no previous convictions and a high-flyer with a good job.

“What you did, in particular the distribution of those images must appal any right thinking member of society.

“These images of young children being abused are shocking and how they can be viewed for pleasure is quite concerning.”

Bruel was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for 10 years and was made the subject of a sexual offences prevention order, banning him from working with children

March 2016

Pervert landlord, 65, sexually assaulted 16-year-old female tenant in Wembley

A pervert landlord from Wembley has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl who was living in one of his properties.

Hercharan Roopra, 65, of Burnside Crescent, made a pass of his victim and tried to kiss her before touching her bottom and breasts over her clothing.

Snaresbrook Crown Court heard he carried out the attack after he visited the home she shared with her family in Wembley to ‘discuss the rent’ in August last year.

The girl was left distraught after the attack and the police were called to the home.

It emerged that the family disliked Roopra after he made them feel uncomfortable with the way he looked at them.

The court heard that the success of his business relies on his freedom as he must personally attend meetings after his son, who assists him, was banned from driving ban.

Sentencing him to six months in jail, suspended for two years, Judge Nigel Peters, QC, said: “The jury convicted you of sexual assault in that, last summer, you sexually assaulted a 16-year old girl when visiting the premises as landlord.

“She found that very, very distressing, very upsetting.

“These are very prevalent offences and it is clear to me that you had an interest in preying on this girl and used these visits to the house as an excuse to look at these young girls.”

Roopra, who owns a string of properties, maintains his innocence despite being convicted of molesting the teen.

He was acquitted of a second count of sexual assault.

He was automatically placed on the sex offender’s register as a result of his conviction and ordered to pay £1,250 costs and £750 in compensation.

March 2016

Paedophile police officer on FULL PAY since last year despite pleading guilty

A Met police officer who downloaded the highest category of child abuse images has been on full pay since last summer despite pleading guilty.

Pc Rupert Watkins, 45, downloaded over 100 images on his phone including Category A, which depict penetrative sexual activity with children.

Scotland Yard has still not sacked the officer and in February his internal misconduct hearing was suspended for almost another month.

The force says it is bound by Home Office guidelines meaning Pc Watkins cannot be sacked until it carries out an internal misconduct hearing.

However, a hearing can take place in an officer’s absence and be fast-tracked when the evidence is strong.

It today led to Scotland Yard being accused of “dragging out” the case and calls for it to be fast-tracked.

Watkins, who lives in Bromley with his wife — also a Met officer — earns about £40,000 a year.

He claims he became depressed at work after being taken off the beat for nine months while being investigated for alleged homophobic comments about colleagues, which he says he was cleared of.

He viewed the images after becoming addicted to adult pornography and turning to drink, he admitted.

Intelligence, gathered by the National Crime Agency’s Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre after he visited monitored websites, was passed to Scotland Yard’s Paedophile Unit.

The force suspended him last July when he was arrested. Watkins, who viewed 45 Category A images, 23 Category B and 47 Category C, pleaded guilty at Westminster magistrates’ court in December to three counts of making indecent photos of a child.

He was sentenced at Southwark crown court in January.

Watkins was stationed in Bromley but has worked across London since joining the Met in 1996. He told the Standard: “I got addicted to normal pornography and I was also drinking. I didn’t know what I was doing.”

He claims he clicked on links to child abuse websites advertised on adult pornography websites, adding: “Until they sack me they can’t not pay me.”

Watkins was given a two-year community order with an activity rehabilitation requirement, is on the sex offenders’ register and was ordered to pay £560 costs. He is in therapy.

His misconduct hearing was due to take place on February 29 but did not go ahead due to another case “overrunning”.

Harry Davis, campaign manager at the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “When cases end up dragging on like this, it is taxpayers who end up picking up the bill.”

The Home Office said: “We have reformed the police complaints and disciplinary systems to make them more transparent, more accountable to the public and to bring corruption and misconduct to light.

“We have also introduced legally qualified chairs for disciplinary hearings, which are now held in public, and we are giving the Independent Police Complaints Commission responsibility for all serious and sensitive cases.”

The Met said Watkins’ hearing “was arranged for the first available date after his misconduct review was completed. As it was not possible to hold the hearing… it will be held on the earliest, next available date.

“Sufficient notice has to be given to ensure any legal representation required by the officer, and the assistant commissioner who will chair the hearing, is available.”