December 2013

Five men jailed for rape of 15-year-old girl

Five men have been jailed for a total of 26 and a half year for the rape of a 15 year-old-girl in Rochdale.

Many of her abusers plied her with vodka and cannabis before committing their offences, which took place in 2008 and 2009, Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court heard.

The victim, now 20, told police in 2008 Freddie Kendakumana, 27, of Illminster, Rochdale, raped her but he was not charged until October 2012.

• Kendakumana has been sentenced to eight and a half years in prison. He was found guilty of rape and sexual activity with a child under 16 at an earlier hearing. 

• Roheez Khan (born 20/12/1985), of Prince Street, Rochdale, has been sentenced to six and a half years in prison. He was found guilty of sexual activity with a child under 16 at an earlier hearing and witness intimidation. 

• Chola Chansa (born 25/12/1979), of Illminster, Rochdale has been sentenced to five years in prison. He pleaded guilty to sexual activity with a child under 16 at an earlier hearing. 

• Abdul Huk (born 28/05/1976), of Ouldfield Close, Rochdale has been sentenced to four years in prison. He was found guilty of sexual activity with a child under 16 at an earlier hearing. 

• Mohammed Rafiq Abubaker (born 24/12/1980), of Allington, Freehold, Rochdale has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison. He was found guilty of sexual activity with a child under 16 at an earlier hearing. 

All five defendants were also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

It is understood that the men come from a range of nationalities. 

Kendakumana and Chansa are from Congo, Abubaker is a Kurd, while Huk and Khan are believed to be of Pakistani heritage.

Throughout the course of the teenager’s life she met these men, who all went on to sexually exploit her. 

The exploitation began in 2008 when she entered into a series of brief relationships with older men she already knew or had been introduced to.

In 2008, the girl complained to police about Kendakumana. She was then told by police in an interview that is was important not to have any further dealings with him but she later confessed that she had seen him at a flat. She then went on to have consensual sex with one of his friends, although the man in question knew she was under age.

Kendakumana was later arrested and charged in 2012 after the original investigation against him was dropped. 

By the time the men were arrested and charged, the girl in question had undergone numerous police interviews totalling 23 hours. This occurred between the end of 2008 and October 2011.

The victim gave evidence during the trials of the five men earlier this year.

Detective Chief Inspector Jamie Daniels said: “Over the course of two years these five men took advantage of this girl for their own sexual gratification. 

“Each of the men preyed on the fact she was an extremely vulnerable and impressionable teenager. 

“They groomed her by offering her alcohol and drugs and correctly perceived she was easy to flatter and gave her the attention she lacked from her home life. 

“This girl did not realise the abuse was taking place, she thought these men were being kind and affectionate towards her and in some cases she thought she was in a genuine consensual relationship with them. 

“She regularly returned to a number of older men, including the five men convicted, they all sexually exploited her and some of them physically abused her. 

“Four of these men denied their guilt and forced this brave young woman to sit through two trials lasting nearly nine weeks, reliving her experiences over again. 

“I hope that today she can try to put her past behind her knowing justice has been done and I want to pay tribute to her strength of character as she looks to move forward with her life.”

The sentencing comes on the same day Rochdale Borough Safeguarding Children’s Board published a report highlighting a “shocking” inability to protect seven vulnerable girls from sexual exploitation.

This latest case was reopened after GMP’s sexual crime unit highlighted failings with the initial investigation as part of Operation Span, which took a fresh look at allegations from other under-age girls in the Rochdale area.

December 2013

23 years’ jail for Bristol man who denied sexual abuse of girls

A MAN who sexually assaulted three girls over nearly three decades has been jailed for 23 years. Michael Bray was reported by one victim but she was persuaded to retract her statement, Bristol Crown Court heard.

He met her again and continued the abuse, the court was told

Bray, 54, of Attwood Drive, Lawrence Weston, denied wrongdoing but was convicted of abusing all three youngsters. In a trial which started on December 2, a jury found him guilty of three rapes and ten sexual assaults.

Judge Graham Hume Jones told him: “You were not immature.

“You did not admit the offences when they were first reported.

“I take account of the harm done to the victims.

“An aggravating factor is you continued to offend even after the first allegation was withdrawn.

“Another aggravating factor is your persistent offending and the damage you have caused to the lives of everyone involved.”

Bray was told to register as a sex offender for life and was made the subject of an indefinite sexual offences prevention order designed to keep him away from children.

He was also barred from working with children.

Judge Hume Jones told the court that one of the victims spoke up about Bray, but was “prevailed upon” to drop her allegations and Bray continued to molest her.

The judge said: “I have seen an email illustrating the pain you have caused her and how your failure to accept guilt has brought the ordeal back to her mind.”

The court heard that Bray also took advantage of another teenager.

That resulted in an already-vulnerable youngster being damaged further, the court heard.

Bray struck a third time, abusing a youngster who finally reported what he had done to her.

The judge said: “She describes you as a totally selfish man who has disguised yourself as a caring man.”

Bray’s mitigation was that there was no physical injury caused to his victims, the judge said.

December 2013

Norfolk man jailed for 18 years for sexual abuse

A 41-year-old Norfolk man who admitted sexually abusing a boy and three girls has been jailed for 18 years and placed on an extended licence on his release for a further eight years to protect the public.

David Moore, of no fixed address, admitted eight rape charges, attempted rape and sex assaults on the victims, who cannot be identified for legal reasons.

He also admitted administering a noxious substance to a 10-year-old girl and possession of indecent images of children.

Lindsay Cox, prosecuting at Norwich Crown Court, said that when arrested, nine indecent images of children were found on his laptop.

Jailing him, Judge Stephen Holt told Moore that he posed a “high risk” of future offending and said that he had ruined the childhood of his victims.

He ordered that Moore be on an extended eight-year licence when he is released for the public protection and placed him on the sex offenders register for life.

Judge Holt said while in custody, Moore would be offered treatment and said he should take up the help offered.

William Carter, for Moore said that he took full responsibility for what he had done. He said this was a positive step and said: “He does display some empathy. He faces up to what he has done.”

After the sentencing, Det Con Steve Graves, who was the officer in the case, praised the bravery of Moore’s victims.

“Moore carried out what can only be described as horrific abuse, continually preying on his victims over many years. He has received a prison sentence that clearly reflects the severity of what he has done. He is a dangerous individual.

“I can only commend the bravery of his victims in coming forward and standing up to their abuser. Whilst Moore admitted his guilt at the earliest opportunity, not having to give evidence and relive their experiences will only be small comfort compared to their years of suffering.

“We will continue to support them as they move forward with their lives and will offer the same support to anyone else who reports this type of offence.”

December 2013

Longton pervert raped schoolgirl as she was screaming

PERVERT Stephen Robinson has been jailed for more than 10 years after he raped a schoolgirl.

The 59-year-old groomed the youngster before sexually assaulting her and raping her, Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard yesterday.

After one sexual assault, when he put his hands inside the girl’s leggings, he asked her to forget about it and move on.

Now a judge has found Robinson to be a danger to children and sentenced him to 10 years and four months in prison with an extended licence period of five years to protect the public.

Prosecutor Simon Ward said on one occasion Robinson lay on top of the girl and sexually assaulted her.

He put his hand over her mouth to stop her screaming for help.

Mr Ward said: “She thinks he stopped because of her efforts to shout out.”

He added that on another occasion Robinson pinned the girl down, took her clothes off and raped her while she screamed. The court heard he then tried to rape hear again.

The schoolgirl was medically examined and there were marks which were consistent with penetration.

In his police interview, Robinson said there had only been one incident, which he said the girl had instigated. He denied any sexual contact.

But Robinson, of Rochester Road, Sandford Hill, Longton, pleaded guilty to raping a child under 13; attempting to rape a child under 13; and four charges of sexual assault of a child under 13.

The court heard Robinson, who has no previous convictions, is in poor health and will co-operate with any courses he is offered in prison.

Judge David Fletcher told Robinson: “In your pre-sentence report you blame her and you will not accept that you were responsible for what you did.

“You have no empathy and no remorse for your behaviour.

“You continued to heap the blame for your shocking behaviour on the shoulders of this girl.

“That is the most worrying, concerning and aggravating feature of this scenario.”

Judge Fletcher said Robinson poses a significant risk of causing serious harm to children.

The defendant will serve two thirds of the prison sentence with an extended licence period of five years, which the judge considered necessary to protect the public.

Robinson was made the subject of a sexual offences prevention order until further order and he will be on the sex offenders’ register for life.

December 2013

Romford paedophile lured girl, 14, via social media

A paedophile from Romford who engaged in repeated sexual encounters with a 14-year-old girl after grooming the teenager on social networking sites has been jailed.

Wayne Gammon’s relationship with the youngster was brought to an end by an observant member of the public, Gareth Oram, who saw the girl trying to get away from him in a street, Gloucester Crown Court heard.

Mr Oram called police when the girl told him Gammon, 45, of Wolesley Road, had been following and stalking her.

The girl was upset and shaking.

After police arrived she told how Gammon had befriended her on social media and then started travelling to Cheltenham in Gloucestershire to see her.

His offences had led to her self-harming and feeling suicidal, the court was told.

Gammon groomed her for sex and she had intercourse with him at least twice, as well as performing other sex acts with him over a period of several months. During some of the visits he had given her alcohol and cannabis.

Gammon admitted meeting the girl with a view to having sex with her between January 15 and February 4.

He also pleaded guilty to causing or inciting her to commit a sexual act with him and three charges of having sexual activity with a child.

He was jailed for four years by Judge William Hart, who told him: “You groomed her, you exploited her naivete, you exploited her immature sexual curiousity and you exploited her vulnerability.

“Your behaviour towards her was predatory. It shows you have a darker side to your nature concealed from those who know you only in the light of the day.

“An aggravated factor is that you had unprotected intercourse with her and you gave her alcohol and cannabis by way of a bribe or reward.

“This was determined activity – you were crossing the country to indulge yourself with this young girl.”

Prosecutor Richard Posner said after Gammon’s arrest police found he had been making contact with underage girls in Canada, Spain and France, as well as the UK. Most of those children had told him to leave them alone.

Defence solicitor Andrew Hobson said the offences happened because Gammon was lonely after two marriage break-ups.

December 2013

Thrussington man jailed for downloading child abuse images

Police found a collection of children’s underwear at the home of a man who had downloaded illegal images, a court heard.

Paul Barlow (51) was jailed for eight months after admitting possessing nearly 1,000 indecent images of youngsters.

He also pleaded guilty to possessing seven photographs of extreme pornography, involving bestiality.

Barlow, of The Green, Thrussington, was arrested in February 2011. Police found the indecent images on his home computer and two laptops.

Leicester Crown Court was told Barlow has since voluntarily sought professional guidance from the Lucy Faithful Foundation, which helps to rehabilitate child sex offenders.

Alan Murphy, prosecuting, said: “When officers went to his home they also recovered envelopes containing children’s used underwear.”

The indecent pictures recovered from his computers related to 926 images at level one, 26 images at level two, two images at level three and 13 images at level four. Of those, 20 were video clips.

Mr Murphy said: “There was also evidence of e-mail requests by the defendant for children’s underwear to be sent to him. There was no attempt to contact children directly.”

Sentencing, Recorder Marcus Tregiglas-Davey told Barlow: “The images feature young girls between 10 and 13. Deleted images were retrieved using specialist equipment.

“It’s clear from the fact children’s underwear was recovered from your house, together with requests when corresponding with other adults, that you have a clear sexual interest in children.”

Barlow was told he will have to enlist on a sex offender register for 10 years. He was also placed on a sexual offences prevention order, enabling his future computer to be monitored by the authorities.

Justine Robinson, mitigating, said: “There were “very few” images at level four and none in the most serious category.

She said: “He recognised he had a problem and has been on bail for two-and-a-half years, during which times there’s been no concern. He terminated his own internet connection more than a year ago

“At the time he was isolated, he’d lost his business, turned to alcohol and had too much time on his hands.”

December 2013

Newport child rapist jailed for life

A PAEDOPHILE who repeatedly abused children in what a judge described as “a catalogue of perversion” has been jailed for life.

Gary Ball, 51, of Rubens Close, Newport, subjected his two victims to a series of “the gravest possible” sexual assaults, a court heard.

Cardiff Crown Court heard on Friday how one victim was “psychologically scarred for life” while another was “infected with guilt”, Judge Neil Bidder QC told the court. Both described him as a monster.

Judge Bidder said Ball had “perverted tendencies” and the offences he committed were “depraved”.

Ball continued to maintain his innocence after a jury convicted him of four counts of serious sexual assault, four charges of rape, two counts of indecency with a child and eight indecent assaults charges.

Jailing him for life, Judge Bidder said: “You have been convicted by a jury of a series of the gravest possible sexual offences. They were completely disgusting sexual acts performed on them.

“It’s a catalogue of perversion. You also made them perform perverted acts on you. Both victims described you independently as a monster.

“You are a high risk of future sexual offences and causing sexual harm to children.”

His barrister, Ieuan Bennett, did not offer any mitigation in court although Judge Bidder was given a pre-sentence report.

The judge imposed concurrent life sentences for the serious sexual assault and rape charges, with concurrent custodial sentences ranging from 18 months and seven years for the remaining charges.

Judge Bidder said Ball would have to serve a minimum of 13 years and 343 days before he can be considered for parole.

He was banned from working with children indefinitely and will have to be on the sex offenders’ register for life.

Crown prosecutor Caroline Rees said after the hearing: “The life sentence properly reflects the seriousness of the offending.”

December 2013

Perverted former soldier who abused children for a generation is jailed for 20 years

A former soldier who committed a catalogue of horrifying sex offences against children over a 33-year period has been jailed for 20 years.

Leeds Crown Court heard yesterday that Colin Haddlesey’s offending began in the 1960s and ended with him raping a teenage girl in the late 90s.

Another victim, a boy, said he had been forced into sex with a gun to his head.

The pervert’s sick crimes only came to light earlier this year after two of his victims spoke together.

It was the first time each realised they were not alone in being abused by him and he was reported to the police.

Others then came forward to say they too had been abused, some when he was a soldier home on leave.

One boy said he had been taken out in a car and forced at gunpoint to perform a sex act and told if he did not he would be shot and put in a nearby canal.

Sharon Beattie, prosecuting, said by the time of Haddlesey’s arrest in September this year he had got rid of any guns he might have had years ago.

Haddlesey, 63, of Fisher Way, Heckmondwike, admitted three charges of rape, one of possessing an imitation firearm with intent and 21 other sex offences on seven children and one adult.

Sentencing him, Judge Tom Bayliss QC, said he accepted Haddlesey was only a teenager himself when the offending began but it was an aggravating feature that as he grew older he had continued to commit sexual crimes with increasing depravity on defenceless and vulnerable children.

“You threatened them into committing gross acts and you threatened them into silence.”

Some he corrupted after plying them with drink; in one such case a boy’s parents thought Haddlesey was taking him to the Bradford Speedway with other children.

Others were shown pornographic films before Haddlesey abused them.

“The impact on your victims is in many respects incalculable” said Judge Bayliss, who added that he was going outside sentencing guidelines for such offences because they “stop short of offending such as yours, offending that goes on for years and years and years on multiple victims.”

He said had it not been for Haddlesey’s guilty pleas and poor health he would have considered imposing a life or extended sentence on him.

Miss Beattie told the court when Haddlesey was arrested he denied any offences.

He was bailed and then went missing from home and it was feared he might be intending to commit suicide but that was not the case and he turned up a week later.

Michael Collins, representing, Haddlesey, said his guilty pleas reflected “his true remorse”.

He said Haddlesey was now suffering from a form of Parkinson’s disease and wanted to offer his “heartfelt apologies to the victims and their families”.

After the case Det Con Nikki Askew, of Kirklees Child Safeguarding Unit, said: “Colin Haddlesey has received a very substantial sentence that reflects the sexual abuse and emotional damage he has caused over several decades to many people.

“These victims found the strength to come forward and I hope today’s outcome provides part closure to an horrendous chapter in their lives.

“This enquiry was a product of an intense investigation.’’

August 2010

Birkenhead sadomasochist amassed 62,500 obscene images of kids

A SADO-MASOCHIST who hoarded 62,500 depraved images of children being abused was put behind bars.

Former soldier and IT expert Wayne Winter, 37, amassed the obscene collection over four years.

Liverpool Crown Court heard thousands of the images were of the most severe level and involved babies and young children being horrifically abused.

Geoffrey Fryar, prosecuting, told how when police searched Winter’s computer they also discovered obscene discussions with other perverts about the “torture and subjugation of children”.

Jailing him for 14 months, Judge John Phipps said: “I have had to view a selection of these images.

“They make disgusting, disturbing and desolate viewing. Any image such as this is an example of the abuse and degradation of children and each time such an image is downloaded it promotes and encourages the abuse and degradation of children.”

Winter, who is married and has a daughter, wiped away tears.

He admitted being “obsessed” with such images.

Mr Fryar told how Winter was snared after police investigated an Austrian website which had uploaded obscene images from America.

Inquiries revealed that Winter’s credit card and computer IP number had been used to access the site. On January 24, 2008, officers searched his Prenton home and seized his lap-top, computer tower and two hard drivers.

Mr Fryar said Winter was co-operative and even told officers where they would find pictures.

In interview, he admitted being obsessed, adding: “It’s an addiction. It’s been going on for years and I need help.”

Mr Fryar added: “During the course of the interview, he admitted being part of a sado-masochistic group in his private life, but he denied that led him to look for images that contained either bondage or torture.”

A total of 62,500 images were discovered, but some of the pictures had been duplicated. Winter, now of Glover Street, Birkenhead, admitted 18 offences of making indecent images.

Eric Lamb, defending, said Winter admitted his addiction led him to catalogue and collect the vile images.

He said: “The defendant has failed to think it through in reverse – that in order for these images he downloaded to be available, it must mean somebody has carried out the abuse in the pictures.”

Mr Lamb told how Winter had joined the Army after finishing school, before training in telecommunications and then IT after leaving the armed forces.

He told how his client had provided for his family, who he is now estranged from, but claims he was “corrupted by the internet” after being led by his curiosity. Winter told interviewers “I don’t want to let the computer be my master. It is not my master any more.”

Mr Lamb added that his arrest had been a wake-up call.

December 2013

Cambridge man jailed for six years after grooming girls as young as nine on the internet

A man who groomed girls as young as nine via webcam has been jailed for six years.

Andrew Spring, of St Vincent’s Close, Girton, was sentenced at Cambridge Crown Court after pleading guilty to 11 counts of causing children under the age of 16 to engage in sexual activity.

The 38-year-old admitted grooming girls between the age of nine and 15 on internet chatrooms – asking them to perform sexual acts on webcam and then trying to get them to meet him in hotel rooms to have sex.

The court heard how police started investigating Spring in 2011 after receiving a tip-off by a member of the public.

Miss Blair, prosecuting, explained: “In October 2011 police visited Spring at his home in relation to information given to them. They had no warrant and he voluntarily allowed police to remove his Dell computer.

“It was examined but not for some time. A number of indecent images and movies were then found.”

Spring then attended a police interview in March of this year.

Miss Blair said it was clear the defendant had created a number of movies himself, as he can be seen performing a sexual act on himself in a split screen in the footage.

This meant the children he was filming would have been able to see him at the same time.

The movies were created using a webcam and an application described as “similar to Skype”, between March 2010 and October 2011.

Further images on his computer dated back to June 2007.

Miss Blair told the court how Spring had “continued contact with one of the children” after starting talking to her on a chatroom when she was 14.

He went on to visit her three times in person, with the most recent time being in March of this year – two weeks before he was interviewed by police.

Miss Blair described this behaviour as “evidence of grooming activity”.

She said: “Spring asked girls to take photos of themselves and suggested meeting at hotels to have sex.”

Before sentencing Miss Blair asked Judge Gareth Hawkesworth to consider the age of the girls involved, the persistent nature of the offending and the length of time over which the offences were taking place.

Melanie Benn, mitigating for Spring, said: “He admitted searching for child porn. He admitted that all of the images and movies discovered were down to him.

“He said at the time he was lonely and getting drunk. He said it did not matter how old they were he just wanted to talk to somebody.”

Miss Benn said Spring realised he had to stop shortly before police visited his address, after a particular incident involving two young girls aged around nine.

Judge Hawkesworth sentenced Spring to six years in prison and ordered him to be added to the sex offenders’ register for an indefinite period.

December 2010

Thornaby paedophile locked up

A PAEDOPHILE who devastated the life of a schoolgirl has been jailed for 12 years.

Peter McMorrow, 54, raped the underage girl on two separate occasions, ignoring her repeated protests and clearly saying no.

“He told her that he loved her and wanted her,” said Matthew Bean, prosecuting.

“Given her age, she was unaware of what he was talking about.”

There were tears in the Teesside Crown Court public gallery yesterday as Mr Bean gave a graphic description of the two sex attacks.

The girl, who cannot be named, told McMorrow “no” as he began his sexual advances. He sexually assaulted and raped her.

Mr Bean said: “She told him not to do it, repeatedly, but the defendant told her that she would enjoy it.”

After this first agonising ordeal, the girl’s assailant told her she shouldn’t tell anyone.

At a later date, McMorrow raped her again. He tried to kiss her and touched her. She tried to stop him, pulled away and said she “didn’t want this to happen”, but he ignored her again.

He told her to “let me do it”, became angry and raped her.

It took years for the girl to speak out and tell police.

McMorrow, of Atlantic Crescent, Thornaby, learned of the allegations and handed himself in to police.

He had admitted to friends and family what he had done.

He pleaded guilty to two charges of rape. He had no relevant previous convictions.

A pre-sentence report said McMorrow used “grooming techniques” to create the opportunities for his crimes.

Duncan McReddie, defending, said: “He fully understands and accepts the enormity of these crimes. When he was confronted with his actions he went voluntarily to a police station and made admissions.

“He understands that what he has done is very, very wrong indeed, that the victim will be damaged for life. He is very sorry for that.”

Mr McReddie said McMorrow knew he needed treatment to address his “motivations” and showed remorse and sorrow.

Judge Moorhouse told McMorrow his serious crimes, made worse by the terrible effect on their victim, warranted a lengthy prison sentence.

He said: “It’s clearly had a devastating effect on her. The memory lingers on for the future.

“It’s going to scar her for life.”

He jailed McMorrow for seven years for the first rape, plus five years for the second.

He passed an indefinite sexual offences prevention order banning McMorrow from unsupervised contact with under-18s.

McMorrow will be banned from working with children and will be on the sex offenders’ register, both for life.

December 2013

Blackwood man jailed after sex order breached

A MAN who kept a laptop with images of child abuse on it three weeks after being placed on a sex offenders’ programme has been jailed.

Christopher Hayes, 43, bought the computer second hand then left it in a bedroom under a duvet when police knocked on his door, a court heard.

Officers found that it contained 16 indecent images of children and a further seven of youths engaging in sexual activity with adults, Cardiff Crown Court heard.

Hayes, of Gelli Lane, Pontllanfraith, had been sentenced for keeping indecent images of children three weeks earlier, the court heard. Jailing him for 24 weeks, Judge David Wynn Morgan said: “You are a high risk to children and the potential harm to children is increased by alcohol. This court cannot allow a flagrant breach of the law imposed just three weeks before.”

Hayes bought the laptop from a second-hand store in Blackwood in February 2012, prosecutor Joanna James said. By teatime that day he was already viewing indecent images, the court heard.

Ms James said the laptop contained 16 level one images and seven level three images. The worst images are classified as level five.

Hayes had been made the subject of a three-year supervision order and placed on the sex offenders’ register for five years in January 2012, the court heard.

The order involved keeping appointments as part of a sex offender group programme.

The order was imposed after Hayes was sentenced for four counts of making indecent images of children and another count of possessing indecent images of children.

Steve Thomas, for the defence, said his client had committed the new offences at the very beginning of his supervision order before a full intervention could start.

Hayes pleaded guilty to 11 counts of making indecent photographs of children and two counts of possessing indecent photos of children for the new offences. Judge Wynn Morgan let the original supervision order run and imposed a sex offences prevention order stopping him from having any unsupervised contact and living with children under 16.

Does not contain defence and prosecution remarks: This is just the judges final summary:

Our website has issued a warning over the distressing transcript you are about read

Case No: 62CA1726112
The Law Courts, Cathays Park,
Cardiff CF10 3PG
Date: 18 December 2013

THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE ROYCE
Between:

THE QUEEN

- v -

IAN WATKINS

AND Woman B

AND Woman P

Mr Justice Royce :

1. Those who have appeared in these Courts at the Bar or on the Bench over many years see and hear a large number of horrific cases. This case however breaks new ground.

2. Any decent person looking at and listening to the material here will experience shock; revulsion; anger and incredulity. What you three did plumbed new depths of depravity.

3. You Watkins achieved fame and success as the lead singer of the Lostprophets. You had many fawning fans. That gave you power. You knew you could use that power to induce young female fans to help satisfy your apparently insatiable lust and to take part in the sexual abuse of their young children. Away from the highlights of your public performances lay a dark and sinister side.

4. What is the background ?

Count 18 dates back to March 2007. You met TT after a Lostprophets concert when she was a 16 year old virgin. The prospect of taking her virginity excited you.

You got her to dress in a schoolgirl’s outfit and you videoed her and you having oral, vaginal and anal sex. You asked her whether she enjoyed being your under-age slut. At the end you urinated over her face and told her to drink it.

That gives some insight into your attitude to young females at that time over 5 years before the counts relating to Women B and P.

Count 19 dates back to August 2008. The girl KJ was another fan aged 16. You videoed her having oral sex with you. She is to be seen snorting white powder which you told her was cocaine. The taking of drugs linked with your sexual activities is a recurring theme.

Count 31 relates to about 90 indecent photos of children. They include 45 at level 4 and 2 at level 5. The age range of the children is from 2 to 14 years.

Count 32 involves images and videos of extreme pornography. There are 22 images of bestiality including oral and vaginal sex with dogs

Watkins and Woman B

5. You B were only 19 when you met Watkins in late 2011. The communications between the two of you in March and April 2012 are seriously disturbing.

That you were manipulated by Watkins may be obvious. But you were a mother.

Your infant was only 10 months old. A mother naturally loves, protects, shields, nurtures and cherishes.

Your infant would have trusted you implicitly.

You totally betrayed that trust. What did you do? You had detailed discussions with Watkins about the sexual acts to which the two of you were going to subject your infant.

6. You told the police you met up with Watkins at the Copthorne Hotel in Cardiff. On 21st March Watkins says “Come down this weekend and we can fuck him up again “You text back saying “tell me if you want to get your dick in our boy”.

You had previously referred to getting your boy high on ice i.e. methyl amphetamine.

7. This is what led up to the session at the K West Hotel in London on the night of 2nd/3rd April recorded on the video. What did you do?

You presented your baby to him so that he could try to rape him. First in the mouth. Then in the anus. Watkins can be seen spitting on the boy’s bottom to facilitate his attempt. You can be heard and seen encouraging him. Could there be a greater betrayal?

8. And then what did you do? You took your little boy’s penis in your mouth and gave him oral sex. You then took the boy’s hand and put it on your own vagina.

Watkins then masturbated the boy. The planning and graphic detail are bad enough. The videoing of what you were both doing is an aggravating factor. The enjoyment both of you can be seen to derive from what you were doing is both sickening and incomprehensible.

9. What happened after this? On 24th May you send Watkins a message saying

“the boy is ready to be abused”.

10. On 2nd August his message is “to be honest though, I think we have gone easy on him so far. Time to teach him and MAKE him learn to love it”. The evidence indicates you met at The Maldron Hotel in Cardiff. Then on 9th September you sent Watkins a photo of you licking your son’s penis. Counts 4 to 7 relate to this. In all it is a dreadful catalogue of abuse of a previously innocent boy to satisfy your own interests and lusts.

11. Watkins and Woman P

You P were a little older than B. You are now 24.Your communications with Watkins start in August 2012. It is not long before the communications turn to child sex abuse. There was talk of moving in together.

Watkins said “if u belong to me so does ur baby”

You responded “understandable… a mother – daughter slave duo worshipping you”.

Watkins said “that’s all she will know… a life of filth”

P said “the good thing about babies is put anything near their mouths and they start sucking it”. She went on to talk about both her and her baby sharing Watkins’ penis with their tongues.

The subsequent communications planning even more depraved activities for this little girl including forcing her to engage in sex with animals and how to take drugs defy belief. This P was your own flesh and blood you were talking about.

Watkins you referred to the girl as “my little fucktoy” and that sums up how you regarded her. Not as a human being but simply as a sexual object there for your pleasure.

You Watkins then said you could not wait to get mother and daughter taking crack cocaine.

You spoke of whoring her out to fat old men who would pay thousands. You went on “she needs to know mummy and daddy don’t love her she is just there to make us cum”. You spoke of torturing her for fun.

12. Count 11 to 13 relate to the taking of photos by P of the little girl’s genitalia and sending them to you Watkins.

Count 14 relates to you P penetrating your daughter’s vagina with your finger and sending a photo of that and similar images to Watkins. Your response Watkins was to say you could not wait to stretch her.

13. The lengthy split screen skype session on 12th September is again very disturbing viewing and listening. You Watkins encourage P to spit on her finger and penetrate her daughter. You P do just that with apparent enjoyment.

Watkins is masturbating throughout. That is count 8.

14. You have both pleaded guilty to conspiring to rape the little girl and to conspiring sexually to assault her.

The evidence is compelling that you P took your infant to meet up with Watkins at the Travel Lodge in Caerphilly on the 2nd October and/or at the Radisson in Cardiff on the 23rd October.

What happened there is not recorded. You for a long time lied saying you had never met up with him. You now say you did but you left your baby with someone else. The evidence to me is compelling that you took your baby but

I do not deal with you on that basis as I bear in mind you have been charged with conspiracy rather than the completed offences.

Let there be no mistake however. This plea means you accept that the two of you agreed that the little girl should be raped by Watkins and you both intended that that should take place. You Watkins initiated and orchestrated

the appalling abuse but you P betrayed your daughter for your own selfish ends.

15. Discount for plea

You B are entitled to the standard one third discount as you entered your pleas at the first reasonable opportunity.

Watkins and P waited until just before the jury was sworn in on the second day. It is arguable that the case was so overwhelming that you should receive no credit. But I give you the conventional 10%.

16. Dangerousness

First Watkins.

The PSR. You spoke to the author of your desire to shock and your craving to push sexual boundaries. This craving was fuelled by your use of cocaine and meth-amphetamine which increased your sexual aggression. You spoke of not knowing to what extremes you would have gone but for your arrest. It is difficult to imagine anything much worse.

The author concludes “Mr Watkins presents a high risk of causing serious sexual, physical, emotional and psychological harm to children, both male and female, and to women, specifically his female sexual partners.”

The author also says “it is also my assessment that the child victims in this case appear to be coincidental to his need to dominate and to test out the extent to which his sexual partners would collude and participate in his sexual
interests.”

Psychiatric report.

Miss O’Neill told me on the last occasion they had a psychiatric report but it needed updating in the light of the changes in plea.

There has been put before me a short report from Dr Huckle prepared after visits to Watkins in September and October. It refers to a report by a psychologist S. Van Scoyoc.

It does not deal with the issue of dangerousness and Miss O’Neill specifically does not ask for any adjournment to obtain further such evidence.

17. I bear in mind a number of factors :

( 1) the facts of these offences against these babies are enormously serious

( 2 ) the offending dates back to 2007;

( 3 ) the delight that Watkins evidently has when engaging in the most terrible
offences involving tiny children;

( 4 ) his need to dominate any sexual partner and his corruptive influence over young females;

( 5 ) the using of drugs in combination with sexual assaults;

( 6) the interest in extreme pornography;

( 7 ) the almost complete lack of remorse; in this last respect the evidence of the phone conversations after the guilty pleas on the last occasion is enlightening.

There is one further matter of concern. One of the passwords you chose, which needed the assistance of GCHQ to break was I FUK KIDZ.

I have no hesitation in concluding that there is a significant risk to the public, in particular to young females and children, of serious harm occasioned by the commission by you of further specified offences. That risk is high.

18. Woman B.

There is a psychiatric report from Dr McFarlane dated 13/ 12/13.

There is reference in that report to your infatuation with Watkins and to his strong influence in your drug taking with him. The future risk of you re-offending in similar fashion is assessed as medium. It is not considered that you were suffering from a mental illness at the material time.

The author’s assessment is that you pose a high risk of causing serious harm. The specific risk would be failure to protect children from others and sexual abuse by you. It is said however that you appear genuinely devastated for the harm you have caused your child and how his future will be affected.

19. Woman P.

I have read the report from clinical psychologist Dr Krljes dated 1st December 2013. That was prepared at a time when you were still protesting your innocence of these offences. There is an addendum dated 17th December.

The psychologist concluded that you had a mixed personality disorder. She also considered it likely you used your daughter as a tool to secure Watkins’s acceptance of you. She considered that in the long term you would benefit from an opportunity to engage in psychological interventions targeting your personality disorder and sexual offending.

The risk of you re-offending in similar manner is assessed as relatively low.

The assessment given is that you pose a medium risk of harm to children based on your current behaviour and the fact that you no longer have access to your own child who was most at risk.

20. Mitigation

Watkins you are aged 36 and have no previous convictions. Your mitigation is your late plea. I also take into account that through your offences over the last 6 years you have lost a valued position with your group. I also take note of the letters written on your behalf from those who know a different side of you.

Woman B

You are aged 21. You have one previous conviction for an offence of fraud for which you received a suspended sentence. Apart from that you are of good character. Your principal mitigation is the fact that you pleaded guilty at the first reasonable opportunity. There appears to be genuine remorse.

Woman P

You are aged 25 now and are of previous good character. You have the mitigation of a late plea. There are signs of remorse.

21. You B and you P will hopefully mature and on your eventual release will steer clear of the corrupting influence of the likes of your Watkins.

I consider that in your case B and your case P I can treat you as falling just short of the threshold necessary for dangerousness – and determinate sentences are appropriate. With Watkins that is not the case.

22. The Sentencing Guidelines 

Factors indicating greater culpability are:

The planning (and its graphic detail)

The deliberate targeting of a vulnerable victim

The commission of the offences by two people acting together

The abuse of trust in the cases of B and P

The abuse of power in the case of Watkins

The commission of offences whilst under the influence of drugs

Factors indicating greater harm are:

The fact that a baby is particularly vulnerable

In the case of Watkins more than one victim

Repeated assaults on the same victim

Additional degradation through taking photos or videos as part of the  offending

What is the position in relation to any harm suffered by these babies?

While it is right to say there is no evidence of any residual physical harm it is not possible to say what psychological harm may have been suffered or may be suffered in the future.

As is pointed out in paragraph 2.10 of the PSR for B - “Given his very young age it is unclear what effect the abuse would have had on him.

However this child is likely to have lifelong psychological difficulties coming to terms with the enormity of what has happened to him. Despite him being placed in long term foster care…

He will eventually learn the truth of his childhood and the abuse he was subjected to. The effects of which are significant and we cannot and should not underestimate the effect this will have on him for the rest of his life.”

The statement from those who are now responsible for his care is very telling in this context.

One obvious immediate consequence is that they will be deprived of the love and care of their natural mother.

There is however disturbing evidence in respect of your daughter P. When her hair was analysed it showed she had been exposed to meth-amphetamine. It is said on behalf of P that she was only exposed to meth-amphetamine when in company with Watkins but it is urged that P might have gone back to her baby and somehow exposed her to it. It is not an issue which requires determination.

23. For rape of a child under 13 where there is abuse of trust or more than one offender acting together the suggested range is 11 to 17 years with a starting point of 13 years.

The same applies to assault by penetration of a child under 13.

The Guideline recognises that starting points and ranges are not rigid and that the circumstances of a particular case may justify going outside the Guideline.

This is a case where in my judgement such departure would be justified. That is because of the horrific nature of the offences involving these babies and the other factors in respect of culpability and harm to which I have referred.

The suggested range for sexual assault of a child under 13 is 1 to 4 years with a starting point of 2 years. The range and starting point for taking indecent photographs and distributing them varies according to the level and volume.

24. Sentences

The Watkins/B counts

Counts 1 and 2. I bear in mind these were attempts and not the full offences although the video shows how close to the full offences these attempts were.

There was though more than one offence. They were followed by further assaulting in count 3.

I take a starting point of 17 years after trial. In your case Watkins that reduces to 15.3 years.

In your case B it reduces to 11 years and 4 months.

On count 3 my starting point is 4 years which reduces in your case Watkins to 3.6 years which I round down to 3 years 6 months and in your case P it reduces to 2 years 8 months. Those will run concurrently.

Count 4 happened much later in September. It was a wholly separate incident of licking your son’s penis and taking photos of it. My starting point is 4 years. With discount for plea the sentence is 2 years and 8 months. There will be concurrent sentences of 18 months after discount on each of counts 5 and 6.

But those sentences will run consecutively to the previous sentences on B.

Total sentence therefore in her case is 14 years.

On count 7 Watkins in your case you did not produce the photo although it was taken for your benefit. The sentence will be 12 months concurrent.

25. The Watkins/ P counts

Counts 8 and 9.

You P enthusiastically penetrated your daughter with your finger at Watkins’ behest. The lengthy and distressing Skype episode has already been described.

Count 9 is the agreement that she should be raped.

My starting point for each of you is 16 years before discount for plea. That reduces it to 14.4 years which I round down to 14 years 4 months on each count concurrent.

On count 10 there will be a concurrent sentence of 3 years after discount.

On counts 11 and 12 P your sentence after discount is 2 years concurrent.

Count 14 is a separate incident of you P holding open your daughter’s genitals.

You took a photo of that and sent it to Watkins. The starting point after trial on count 14 is 4 years reducing to 3 years 6 months on plea.

There will be concurrent sentences of 12 months on counts 15 and 16. As I propose to make these sentences consecutive to your other sentences I have to consider totality.

Having done so I reduce the sentence on count 14 to 2 years 8 months. The total sentence for you P is 17 years.

26. In your case Watkins I have to consider the remaining counts in totality. On counts 13, 17, 18, 19, 30 and 31 there will be concurrent sentences of 12 months.

I am satisfied that you are a deeply corrupting influence; you are
highly manipulative; you are a sexual predator; you are dangerous. The public and in particular young females and children need protection from you.

On one view this is a case which would justify a “denunciatory” indeterminate sentence as in Saunders [2013] EWCA 1027. I bear in mind that such a sentence is one of last resort.

The alternative is a very long extended sentence.
In my judgment justice and protection of the public can and should be achieved by such a very long sentence.

The sentences on your offences with B must be consecutive to the sentences on your offences with P. But I have to bear in mind totality.

I therefore adjust sentences in this way.

The sentences on counts 1 and 2 will be 15 years.

The sentences on counts 8 and 9 will be 14 years consecutive. Custodial term 29 years.

There will be an extended period of licence under section 226A of 6 years on those counts.

All other sentences will be concurrent. Your total sentence is therefore one of 35 years.

In your case that means you will have to serve 2/3 of the custodial term before you can be considered for release by the Parole Board. If you are released you will remain on licence for the extended period.

In your case B and P the usual rule will apply. You will be eligible for release after serving half your sentence. You will then be on licence. The detailed provisions will be explained to you by your counsel.

Other orders.

Forfeiture of exhibits

December 2013

Man had 59,000 indecent images of children

A MAN has been sentenced over possessing indecent images of children.

Kevin Parsk, 56, of Kent Road, St Leonards, appeared at Hove Crown Court on Monday (December 23) and was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment suspended for two years, a two-year supervision order, ordered to take part in a Sex Offenders Treatment Programme and register as a sex offender.

He pleaded guilty to 13 offences of making a total of 59,000 indecent images of children, and two counts of possessing extreme pornographic images.

December 2013

OAP’s vile texts to schoolboy

A PERVERT past president of Port Bowling Club has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register after admitting sending seedy text messages to a 15-year-old boy.

Disgraced George Freeman, 69, told the lad, that he ‘loved him to bits’ and also enquired as to whether he had been ‘abusing’ himself.

Freeman, who had the boy’s mobile phone number in order to arrange matches, began sending the offensive messages on August 8 last year, Greenock Sheriff Court heard.

Procurator fiscal depute Kevin Doherty said: “The complainer didn’t understand what the term ‘abusing yourself’ meant and he asked his mother, who also did not know.

“The boy asked the accused the following day and his response was a hand gesture.

“He told the complainer, ‘don’t be ashamed’.”

A second text message from Freeman to the boy included the words ‘love you to bits’.

It also said: “Don’t be offended when I give you a hug and a peck, it’s my affection for you. Please reply now.”

The court heard that the lad was left ‘very upset’, suffered a loss of confidence as a result of Freeman’s approaches and did not respond.

Police were called in to investigate the matter after his mother confided in her GP about what was going on.

Shamed Freeman sent the boy another text, on 14 August 2012, part of which read: “Hope you have not been lying in bed abusing yourself, although it makes you feel good.

“What time do you go to bed?

“Hope you were not offended by my text messages.

“Looking forward to your reply shortly.”

Fiscal depute Mr Doherty said: “The accused is a former president of Port Glasgow Bowling Club and he has remained a regular member.”

Sheriff Thomas Ward rejected defence lawyer Derek Buchanan’s plea for his client to be spared from being placed on the Sex Offenders Register.

The sheriff said: “This was inappropriate contact from a 69-year-old to a 15-year-old.

“In my opinion there is a significant sexual aspect here.”

Freeman — who pleaded guilty on the day of his trial — was automatically placed on the register, with the time period of his inclusion to be determined when he is sentenced on February 12.

The sex offender has insisted that his text messages to the boy were innocent.

Asked by the Telegraph why he had pleaded guilty, Freeman said: “I couldn’t do anything else, but it was just banter.

“I’m not interested in anything like that.

“I’m just not like that.”

“I’m not a threat to anyone.”

He added: “I encouraged the boy to play and mix a bit at the club, that’s all, because when he was at the club he would be on his own.”

December 2013

Jail for “selfish” slave master convicted of animal porn images

A BDSM slave master convicted of a string of sexual offences has been described as “self-centred and selfish” as he was jailed.

Brian Thornhill, of Lagham Road, South Godstone, was sentenced to a total of 21 months in prison at Guildford Crown Court on Friday (December 20), a month after being found guilty by a jury of six counts of possession of extreme pornography and five counts of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.

The court heard how the head of the North Downs Pony Club flogged and paddled “slave” women in the presence of a young boy while extreme images and video clips, including sexual activities involving his pet dog, were also found on a DVD at his home.

Reading a pre-sentence report to the court, Judge Neil Stewart said it was hard to tell if Thornhill had committed the offences due to a “sexual attraction to children or whether you are so lacking in boundaries” the child’s presence had been accidental.

Thornhill shook his head as Judge Stewart added: “You are a completely self-centred and selfish person who continues to believe you are in the right despite the verdict of a jury.

“This is too serious for anything other than prison.”

The judge also said Thornhill was “unable to accept the victim impact” and “unable to comprehend the impact” of the offences on the child.

‘High risk to children’

The 59-year-old was originally arrested after a photograph was spotted online featuring him, a naked woman in BDSM (bondage discipline and sadomasochism) chains and a young boy.

When police searched his home they found a number of extreme pornographic images and videos featuring women and animals.

The court heard how, in an online chat message, Thornhill said he hoped the child would become a “little outrageous pervert”.

Judge Stewart sentenced him to 18-months for each count of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of children, to run concurrently.

He also received three-months in prison for each of the six counts of possession of extreme pornographic images or videos, to run consecutively to the 18-month sentences.

“The reason why [it was difficult to decide on the sentence] is probably because the activity I’m concerned with today was beyond the imagination of the people who had to compile the guidelines,” the Judge remarked.

Representing Thornhill, Charlotte Surley said: “There was no intimidation or coercion [of the child] to watch, and no threats to prevent him reporting [the activity].”

She also explained that Thornhill has an inoperable brain tumour and was facing eviction from his home, saying he had suffered “shame and humiliation in the community”.

Thornhill received a 10-year sexual offences prevention order and was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for 10 years as the judge said further sexual offending could not be ruled out.

“You pose a high risk to children,” he added.

December 2013

Taunton ‘Christian’ read passages of the Bible while sexually abusing girls

AN 82-year-old paedophile who manipulated and sexually abused young girls while claiming to be a devout Christian has been jailed for nine months.

Alexander Thomas, founder of a religious house fellowship, told his two victims the sick sexual acts were “God’s will” and that resisting would show a lack of appreciation to him.

Thomas, of St Augustine Street,Taunton, was jailed at Taunton Crown Court on Friday after admitting six counts of indecent assault.

Judge David Ticehurst said: “You claimed you were a Christian and that what you were doing was God’s will.

“I’m in no doubt whatsoever that you used your position of authority and trust.

“It’s clear that you’ve robbed these young ladies of their childhood and innocence.

“You should be thoroughly ashamed and disgusted at the way you treated them.

“I’m in no doubt you did so for your own sexual gratification.”

William Hunter, prosecuting, told the court Thomas abused the teenage girls, some 50 years his junior, on several occasions in the mid-1990s.

It was said that he would read them extracts from the Bible and told one of them he “wanted to take her virginity.”

A victim impact statement read out in court said the horrific crimes had had a lasting effect.

Thomas, wearing a shirt, tie and beige blazer, had a look of dejection as he was sent to the cells.

Patrick Mason, defending, said Thomas was “repentant and remorseful” over his actions.

He said: “He has a number of problems and is clearly deteriorating.

“He’s accepting of the need for punishment and is very sorry about what has happened.”

Thomas was also made the subject of a sexual offences prevention order lasting for five years.

December 2013

Pervert jailed over Badoo police sting of grooming of girls

A man has been jailed for grooming girls on social networking site Badoo after he was caught by an undercover police officer posing as a teenager.

Howard Blackburn, 27, of St Leonard’s Court, Cockermouth, was arrested in August after arranging to meet a 13-year-old in Whitehaven.

Unbeknownst to him, he had been interacting with an undercover officer.

He was sentenced to four years after admitting to a number of sexual offences at Carlisle Crown Court.

He also admitted possession of cocaine.

The court heard that Blackburn had used the site to arrange to meet what he thought was a young girl and was arrested when he arrived at the meeting place.

Following his arrest, officers investigated whether Blackburn groomed real teenage girls.

At court, Blackburn admitted five counts of attempting to cause or incite a child to engage in sexual activity and one of attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming.

He was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life and made subject of a sexual offences prevention order to restrict his internet usage when he is released from prison.

December 2013

Shelton child rapist jailed for 14 years

CHILD rapist Geoffrey Griffiths has been jailed for 14 years.

The OAP beat his young victim and indecently assaulted her before progressing to raping her.

The abuse included him hitting her with a cane and hose pipe, holding her head under water and burning her with a cigarette.

Griffiths then began to sexually abuse the girl and raped her when she was a teenager.

The 68-year-old, of Ridgeway Road, Shelton, denied all his charges, including six counts of indecent assault and one of rape.

But he was convicted of the indecent assaults and the rape by a jury after a trial last month.

Judge Paul Glenn told Griffiths: “You repeatedly abused her for your own sexual gratification.”

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard the offences had a serious psychological effect on the victim. The court heard she has nightmares about her ordeals as well as suffering with depression. The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, reported the matters to police in May 2012.

Joanne Wallbanks, mitigating, said although Griffiths has previous convictions, none were for sexual offences.

Ms Wallbanks added: “He wants the court to know that he saw the errors of his ways and he mended his ways.”

As well as the 14-year jail term, Griffiths was told he will be on the Sex Offenders’ Register indefinitely. He is also barred from a range of activities involving children and vulnerable adults.

Judge Glenn said: “You committed a series of offences.

“You meted out violence, you caned her, punched and kicked her and burnt her with a cigarette. You caused others to hold her head under water, you tied her up.

“You moved on to sexual abuse, kissing her inappropriately and touching her.

“She was too scared to tell anyone.

“You progressed to raping her, despite her best efforts to prevent that.”

Staffordshire Police today welcomed Griffiths’s jail term.

December 2013

Paedophile abused two young girls

A paedophile is spending Christmas behind bars after being convicted of abusing two young girls.

Gerard O’Brien, 54, abused the two children at separate properties, in Ibrox and Cardonald between September 1988 and June 2000.

His victims, who were just aged four and seven when the abuse began and cannot be named for legal reasons, told the jury how they suffered for years at the hands of O’Brien.

Following a trial at Glasgow Sheriff Court, O’Brien was found guilty of using lewd and libidinous practices towards the girls.

O’Brien will return to the dock next month for sentencing.