August 2010

Man is jailed for distributing indecent images of children

A PERVERT who sent two indecent images of children to a 17-year-old student has been jailed for two years.

John Stanway, of Banbury Grove, Biddulph, pleaded guilty to distributing indecent images of children in February last year; five charges of making indecent images of children between July 2007 and May 2009; and possessing 560 indecent images of children on May 23 last year.

Prosecutor Stuart Clarkson yesterday told Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court that a female student in Sheffield was asked to accept the defendant as her friend on a social networking site.

“She accepted that person as a friend and he (the defendant) said ‘Can I have a picture of you?’. The picture was sent and two pictures were returned by this defendant to her.”

Mr Clarkson said the student felt physically sick when she saw the pictures which showed children having sex with adults.

The student called the police and the 44-year-old defendant was traced.

Officers found the images on Stanway’s computer equipment.

Police found there to be 275 images at level one; 35 at level two; 112 at level three; 141 level four and one level five – the most serious.

But the defence found there to be some duplications and assessed there to be 172 indecent images at level one; 24 at level two; 63 level three; 73 level four; and one at level five.

The court was told Stanway has a previous conviction for a sexual offence in 1999 for which he was placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.

Stuart Muldoon, in mitigation, said Stanway has been frank and acknowledges he has a problem and it needs to be addressed.

“He acknowledges he has done wrong and will accept whatever punishment the court imposes on him,” said Mr Muldoon.

“He is ashamed of what he did.

“He wishes to avail himself on any courses made available to him either in the community or in custody.”

Mr Muldoon asked Judge Paul Glenn to consider whether society would be best served by Stanway being given a three year community order.

But the judge said the distribution of the images, which were both level four, was so serious he had to pass a custodial sentence.

Judge Glenn said he sentenced Stanway on the defence’s assessment of the number of indecent images found.

He said Stanway represented a significant risk of serious harm to children but he did not feel he had to pass a sentence for the protection of the public.

“I am concerned by your obvious sexual interests,” said Judge Glenn.

“They are real children being abused,” he added.

December 2013

Victim’s dad arrested Barkerend flasher

A dad told how he carried out a citizen’s arrest when a serial sex offender who flashed at his seven-year-old daughter crashed his bike into a tree fleeing the scene.

The man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of his child, described how he and neighbours gave chase after 55-year-old Paul Smith exposed himself to the girl and a young friend in an incident caught on CCTV outside his Bradford home.

Speaking as Smith pleaded guilty to an offence of exposure and breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates’ Court yesterday, the dad said he had to stop a “lynch mob” from attacking the flasher as they waited for the police to arrive.

He gave chase when his crying daughter had told him about the attack.

“People were attacking him and wanted to kill him,” he said.

Prosecutor James Weekes told magistrates how Smith, who has “repeatedly” been convicted of gross indecency and exposure offences, approached the man’s daughter and a friend as they played in their garden in the Barkerendarea of the city.

The Court heard Smith, of Gorton Fold, Bolton, Lancashire, had been the subject of a number of Sexual Offences Prevention Orders banning him from loitering around women he doesn’t know and travelling on a train with a bicycle.

He pleaded guilty to the two offences by video link and was remanded in custody until his next appearance at Bradford Crown Court on January 20.

December 2013

Aberdeen sex offender ‘used different name on website’

A SEX offender did not tell police he used a different name on a social networking site.

Mamud Miah, 22, was put on supervision for nine months in 2012 after arranging to meet an under-age girl for sex.

At Aberdeen Sheriff Court yesterday he admitted using a different name online between September 19, 2012, and June 6 this year.

Miah, whose address was given as Kirkhill Road, Aberdeen, will be sentenced next year.

December 2013

Pervert sent to prison for ‘breaching S.O.R again’

An 80-year-old man who is banned from buses after molesting schoolgirls is to spend Christmas in prison.

Geoffrey Mole, formerly of Adelaide Street, Blackpool, now of no fixed address, admitted his seventh breach of a court order – by failing to comply with the terms of the sex offenders’ register.

He also pleaded guilty to breaching a suspended prison sentence.

Mole was sentenced to nine weeks in prison by Blackpool magistrates.

Mole was previously banned from pubic transport at peak times and from lurking round bus stops after sexually assaulting two schoolgirls on a bus.

He was put on the sex offenders’ register and made the subject of a Sex Offences Prevention Order.

Pam Smith, prosecuting, said Mole failed to notify police of his new address as he was required to between December 12 and 16.

He had breached his sex offenders register order twice previously and the Sex Offences Prevention Order four times before.

Michael Woosnam, defending, said: “Age appears to be catching up with him and he has some degree of confusion.”

October 2013

High risk paedophile jailed 

A grandfather with a history of sexually molesting schoolgirls who use buses has been jailed after he refused to live at a hostel which specialised in the management of sex offenders.

Jeffrey Mole was described as posing a high risk of sexual harm to female children.

Mole, 80, formerly of Bold Street, Fleetwood, and Chesterfield Road, North Shore, Blackpool, now of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to breaching a court order when he appeared before Blackpool Magistrates Court.

He was sentenced to 70 days imprisonment.

Presiding magistrate, Susan Tait, told him: “You have blatantly disregarded court orders.”

It was Mole’s fourth breach of a court order, including a Sex Offences Prevention Order which bans him from travelling on public transport or loitering near bus stops between 8am and 10am and 3pm to 5pm.

He is also on the Sex Offender’s Register.

Mole was jailed on September 5 when he breached a condition of his Sex Offences Prevention Order by following two young girls in school uniform to a graveyard in Poulton and looking up another girl’s skirt.

Kathryn Jamieson-Sinclair, defending, said: “He is principally a Blackpool resident and he was fearful of going somewhere he would not know anyone.

“He has agreed now to go and live at the hostel.”

June 2013

Sex beast ‘chatted up two teenage girls’

A convicted paedophile described as posing a high risk of sexual harm to female children was arrested after chatting up two girls.

Jeffrey Mole, a 79-year-old grandfather, had previously sexually assaulted two teenagers using buses.

He had been put on a Sex Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) which banned him from contact with children under 16, except for supervised contact with his grandchildren, and from travelling on public transport between 8am and 10am and 3pm to 5pm.

Mole, previously of Bold Street, Fleetwood, now living at Chesterfield Road, North Shore, Blackpool, pleaded guilty to breaching a SOPO.

He was sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment suspended for 12 months and put on one year’s supervision by Blackpool magistrates.

Martine Connah, prosecuting, said Mole breached his SOPO when he spoke to two girls, aged 14 and 15, outside a shop in Blackpool town centre on May 23 this year about 6pm.

He had a four-minute conversation with the girls saying if they went to a certain cafe the next day he would buy them a coffee.

Mole is on the SOPO until 2017. He has previously breached supervision orders on four occasions by missing appointments with his probation officer and failing to keep a curfew.

Michael Woosnam, defending, said his client was prone to forgetfulness, adding: “He says the last week has been particularly chaotic for him.

“He invited someone into his property and they stole from him.”

Mole also said he had been targeted by people near his home who smashed his windows and called him names.

March 2013

Mornings curfew for sex offender, 79

A CONVICTED sex offender described as being at a potentially high risk of re-offending has been ordered to remain inside his home during mid mornings.

December 2013

Teens admit sexually assaulting 12-year-old girls in Torquay

A pair of teenage tourists have admitted sexual assaults on two 12-year-old girls in a public park in Torbay last summer.

Mohammed Islam and Masudur Rahman have been warned they may face jail when they return to Exeter Crown Court for sentence in the New Year.

Islam, 19, admitted three sexual assaults on two girls, both aged 12 and Rahman, 18, admitted two sexual assaults on one of the victims.

The two holidaymakers from Tipton, West Midlands, were arrested after the girls complained to police they had been assaulted in a park at the Torre Valley Sports Centre.

Judge Francis Gilbert, QC, ordered pre-sentence reports and warned the pair that all options including custody will be open to the sentencing judge.

December 2013

Paedophile breached order by working at Peterborough kids dance group

A paedophile was spotted working at a Peterborough dance group for youngsters after ignoring an order which banned him from being around young girls.

Kenneth Wenn (36), of Winyates, Orton Goldhay, has been warned that he faces jail if her returns to the Footworks Academy Gymnastics Dance Studio, where he was spotted working by two off duty police officers earlier this year.

Wenn had been jailed for 13 months back in 2011 for sexual activity with a 12-year-old girl and as part of his sentence he was given a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) banning him from unsupervised contact with girls aged under 16.

But Wenn was spotted by the two off duty officers working at Footworks Academy Gymnastics Dance Studio, in Maxwell Road, Woodston, in February this year.

He was employed at the company in a backroom role but had been seen in other areas of the studio where children were present.

Wenn pleaded guilty to breaching his SOPO at Peterborough Crown Court on Wednesday (December 18). He was given a 39-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

His SOPO was also amended so he is no longer allowed to be present at the dance studio when it is open to the public, unless prior approval is given, or have any unsupervised contact with any girl under 16.

Detectives who carried out the investigation said they will look to ensure that Wenn doesn’t breach his sentence.

Detective Sergeant Amerjit Singh, of the force Public Protection Department, said: “Wenn knew the terms of his sexual offences prevention order but chose to ignore them by working in areas where he knew he would have access to children.

“As soon as we became aware of his activity he was arrested and charged.

“He now has a suspended sentence hanging over him should he breach the order again and we will be keeping a close eye to ensure he keeps to the terms outlined by the court.”

The PT attempted to contact Footworks Academy for a comment but the firm’s listed phone numbers were not recognised. The company’s website was also unavailable.

On other websites the company is advertised as a “family run” gymnastics group offering structured gymnastics lessons and full academy for dance including hip hop/street dance, ballet, tap modern, contemporary cheerleading for youngsters of all ages and abilities.

If you suspect anyone of breaching a sexual offences prevention order contact police on 101.

Factfile: What is a sexual offences prevention order?

A sexual offences prevention order (SOPO) is a civil order intended to protect the public from the risks posed by sex offenders by placing restrictions on their behaviour.

SOPOs can be made on anybody who is convicted, cautioned or found guilty of a ‘relevant offence’, or those found ‘not guilty’ by reason of insanity or disability.

December 2013

Man admits to possession of indecent pictures of children

A MAN has admitted downloading indecent photos of children.

Police found 129 images on Hugh Maclean’s two laptop computers, including 15 at the second most serious level.

Maclean, 65, of Bergholt Road, Colchester, admitted two charges of downloading indecent images of children and two of possessing extreme child abuse images during a hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday.

Recorder Charles Gratwicke delayed sentencing until a report is prepared by the probation service, but warned Maclean that custody will be utmost in the court’s mind.

The court heard Maclean downloaded 129 images between December 2011 and October 31 this year.

A total of 117 images were found on a Toshiba laptop computer and 12 were discovered on an HP laptop computer.

The scale used by the courts in rating the severity of child porn runs from one to five, with the five the worst.

In total, 71 were level one, nine were level two, 34 were level three and 15 were level four.

Maclean was given conditional bail to stay at his home address and will return to the court in January for sentencing.

December 2013

Judge brands youth worker as a ‘serious risk’ to children after he sexually abuses two youngsters

A BURTON youth worker who sexually abused two young children has been jailed for three years.

Robert Gadsby was branded ‘a serious risk to young persons’ by a prosecuting lawyer.

Stafford Crown Court heard the offences against a nine-year-old girl and a boy of 11 took place in Gadsby’s own home in Ferry Street, Burton.

Paul Spratt, prosecuting, said Gadsby engaged in simulated sex and other sexual acts with the boy.

On two separate occasions he had inappropriately touched the girl.

The offences came to light in September this year when the boy spoke to the police.

The 52-year-old was arrested and put before a special magistrates court held on a Saturday eight weeks ago where he admitted the abuse.

Gadsby, of Ferry Street, Burton admitted two sexual assaults on a girl, three sexual assaults on a boy and three charges of incitement to commit sexual acts.

Judge Mark Eades told him: “You are attracted to pre-pubescent children….you groom them while overcoming their resistance by bribery.”

Mr Spratt said Gadsby had told a friend that he had been ‘a teacher’ for some considerable time and when he took a liking to a child would invite him to his address under a false premise and he had paid them.

He said ‘they’re like rent boys’.

The defendant said his computer was likely to contain male pornography.

Mr Spratt said: “From the defendant’s admissions there may be further complainants.

“This person poses a serious risk to young persons.”

Simon Phillips, defending, said Gadsby was NOT a teacher, but had worked with children and youths over a period of time.

He said: “He has led a rather lonely life, he doesn’t do much other than go to work.

“He did deny matters in his initial interview.

“He has now expressed remorse and actually asked to be remanded in custody – it was not the magistrates’ decision.

“He knew the writing was on the wall.”

December 2013

Bacup man jailed for 20 years over 14 child sex offences

A MAN from Bacup has been jailed for 20 years after being found guilty of 14 counts of sexual offences, including rape and gross indecency with a child.

A jury at Preston Crown Court found Joseph Swift, 53, of Cutler Greens Farm, guilty of three rapes, one attempted rape, six indecent assaults and four counts of gross indecency with a child. The offences were committed some time ago.

Swift subjected his young victim to a number of sexual assaults, a court heard.

But when she confronted him about his crimes, Swift told her that he wished he could ‘turn the clock back’.

The retrial was held after a jury at an earlier trial in March was unable to reach a verdict.

Swift had denied the charges against him throughout both trials.

He was given an indefinite sexual offences prevention order, banned from working with children and ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life.

He must also pay a £120 victim surcharge.

During the re-trial last month, his victim described him as ‘controlling’.

She told the court she had confronted Swift about the abuse via text message and he had not denied it.

She added: “He said ‘believe me I would do anything to turn the clock back.’”

The victim said Swift sent her text messages asking her not to reveal details of the abuse.

She said: “I wanted the evidence in black and white that he had done what he had done to me.”

DC Deborah Sethi, from Lancashire Police, said: “This was a long and protracted enquiry spanning nearly three years.

“I hope this significant sentence provides some comfort and closure to the victim who suffered this horrific abuse at the hands of Swift.

“These offences were committed a long time ago and the victim has had to live with the effects ever since.

“This sentence indicates the serious, controlling and degrading nature of the abuse she suffered.

“I would like to commend her on the incredible courage and bravery she has shown in giving her evidence at court not once, but twice.

“We will always vigorously investigate reports of this type, supporting the victims through the court process, whilst violent sexual offenders, such as Joseph Swift, are brought to justice.”

December 2013

Horsham man jailed for eight years over series of sexual assaults on a young girl

A Horsham man has been jailed for eight years over a series of sexual assaults on a young girl.

Sussex Police said: “Timothy Michael Andrew Wallace, 46, unemployed, of South Holmes Road, Horsham, was found guilty at Lewes Crown Court on Friday 21 December of five charges of sexual assault by touching against a girl, which happened between May 2010 and January 2012.

“Wallace was sentenced to eight years imprisonment, and will be required to register as a sex offender for life.”

Detective Constable Dani Flude of the West Sussex Child Protection Team said: “Wallace preyed on the girl over a period of time and caused her severe emotional trauma, added to by the fact that she had to give evidence against him in court due to his not guilty plea.

“However we are able to give her every possible support and to arrange for the court to take into account her natural concern about giving evidence.

“She was an excellent witness and helped ensure justice was served.”

December 2013

Biggin Hill paedophile jailed for historic sex attacks on children

A PAEDOPHILE who started abusing boys in the 1960s while he was a member of a Biggin Hill based flying club has been jailed for 30 months.

Benjamin Graham Dix received the sentence at Woolwich Crown Court after pleading guilty to five counts of indecent assault on children.

He will also have to sign the sex offenders’ register for life.

The attacks on two boys took place between 1969 and 1992 while Dix was a member of a flying club based at Biggin Hill Airport.

In September 2011, one of the victims contacted police to report indecent assaults that occurred during the summer of either 1969 or 1970, when he was aged nine or 10 years old.

Dix, who is now aged 76, would take him for rides in his car and while letting his victim steer would indecently assault him.

The second victim was assaulted in the same way in 1992 while in Dix’s car, as well as on occasions when Dix visited the family home.

Detectives from the Met’s Sapphire unit launched an investigation and on November 9 2011 Dix was arrested at his home address.

Dix, from Godalming, Surrey, was charged on April 18, 2012.

He was sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court on December 20.

Detective Constable Paul Hill, from Sapphire, said: “The two victims in this case were children when Dix assaulted them.

“They showed courage to come forward after so many years to tell us what happened to them.

“These were very disturbing assaults on very young children at the time and although these assaults took place many years ago, it shows we will pursue sex offenders and bring them to justice.

“Dix thought he had got away with it, but the victims in this case were determined to see him brought to justice.”

Detective Chief Inspector Pete Thomas said: “Dix sexually abused two young boys who were vulnerable.

“This case may have happened many years ago, but in this case he was brought to justice because his victims came forward and they should be commended for overcoming their fears and disclosing these terrible crimes.

“With appropriate support from police and our partners, I urge other victims of sexual crimes to come forward and tell us what has happened to them. You will be supported.”

December 2013

Former Southampton teacher jailed after abusing nine year old boy in Trinidad

A FORMER Southampton school teacher has been jailed for sexually abusing a young boy on a tropical Caribbean island.

Well-known sailor Derek Ide carried out the attack on the nine-year-old boy on his boat on the island of Trinidad in April this year.

The 67-year-old, pictured right, who used to teach at the former Bellemoor School in Shirley, initially denied grievous sexual assault but changed his plea to guilty to a lesser charge of serious indecency.

Now a magistrate on the tropical island has sentenced him to three years and four months behind bars.

But he could be extradited from the country to spend his time in a UK prison having received his sentence in the island capital of Port of Spain.

As reported by the Daily Echo, the well-known yachtie carried out the offence at the Power Boats boatyard in the coastal town of Chaguaramas, in the St George West area of the country.

The assault is alleged to have taken place on board Ide’s yacht.

The child then informed his parents, who are not native to Trinidad, and Ide was held by the boy’s father before he contacted the police

Ide, of Netley Cliff, Victoria Road, Netley Abbey, Southampton, was elected president of the Southampton Schools Association in the 1970s.

Under Trinidad law, Ide could have faced up to ten years behind bars.

However Maureen Baboolal- Gafoor sentenced him after telling the court children needed protection from sexual predators.

Sean Cazabon, who defended Ide at Port of Spain Magistrates’ Court, said an application will be made to the British High Commission to have him extradited.

He said Ide was convicted of a similar offence in the UK in 1983, adding his client is willing to participate in therapy and counselling when he is eventually deported.

After his conviction earlier this month, people who live near Ide’s Southampton home expressed their shock over his arrest.

A man living in Grange Road, whose mother-in-law used to live in the same block of flats as Mr Ide, said: “It’s a big shock as whenever I saw him he was very nice and polite.”

The Foreign Office revealed it had been made aware of the arrest and that staff were providing consular assistance.

December 2013

Courageous daughter reveals how sex abuser father ruined her life

Written by Colin Adwent and Jane Hunt 

Sexually abused as a child by her father Chloe Parker carried the burden alone for 10 years.

Now, kick-boxing champion Andrew Parker, 39, is beginning a two-year jail term after Chloe finally told her mother and grandmother what he had done to her.

Displaying courage and a maturity beyond her years Chloe, of Stowmarket, waived her right to anonymity, declining to hide her identity in order to speak openly about her father’s appalling betrayal of trust.

As terrible as the sexual abuse was, the 18-year-old said the torment and emotional blackmail that she was subjected to by Parker, of Pimpernel Road, Ipswich, was equally unbearable.

“He stole my childhood, my innocence and any hope of me ever living a normal life,” she said. “He made me feel dirty, afraid, alone, and isolated from everybody else. This left me with M.E and depression, leaving me feeling even more vulnerable than ever. What made the situation even more difficult was the fact he was so highly regarded in the community after working at Bosch Lawn and Garden for 13 years and a number of local funeral companies.

“He was also a well known kick-boxer, teaching and training in the sport as well as winning several fights and championships. It seemed impossible that anyone would believe me.

“He lied about what he did for a long time and convinced my family that I was the manipulative, nasty liar, which in reality, he was.

“However, at 17, after I found out about him committing years of adultery, I finally felt the strength to tell my grandmother, and then my mum, which he denied profusely in an attempt to blacken my name further.

“Despite this, after weeks of begging him to tell the truth and agreeing to keep what had happened within the family, he finally admitted to it. But even after confessing to the sexual abuse, he has still been able to convince some people that I’m the cruel child he tried to portray me as.

“He went as far to say that he would, ‘play dirty,’ and, ‘up his game,’– it was all just a big joke to him, and he belittled everything that I did.

“Therefore, I decided to go to the police in an attempt to try and get some justice for what my ‘dad’ had done. It’s been the worst year of our lives, and it felt like this torture would never end. But with my mum, brother and my mum’s side of the family’s support, we’ve been able to stick together and push through this.

“What has happened to me will stay with me and affect me for the rest of my life, but now he has been sentenced I finally have some justice for what he did to me. I hope that my story will encourage other children to come forward if they have suffered abuse by anyone.

“You may be frightened that you won’t be believed, and you may have some people against you, but the police will always believe you and support you, and you shouldn’t have to deal with what has happened to you on your own.

“I never thought in a million years I would tell anyone, and that ‘dad’ would be sentenced, but here I am, so if I can do it, so can you.”

If you are a victim of child abuse telephone Childline on 0800 1111 or Suffolk Constabulary on 101.

January 2014: Hawyes has now been removed from West sands holidays, in Selsey by the management of the holiday park.

We would like to commend John Bunn, the owner of Bunn leisure.

After our investigation revealed that a convicted paedophile was staying at a personally owned static caravan at West sands holidays, in Selsey, mr Bunn immediately ordered the pervert off his caravan site, and to never return. 

We are very happy that mr Bunn has taken this stance so swiftly, and he would like it to be known that all checks had been made and that Colin Hawyes had bought the caravan in an alternative name. Hawyes is now also not on sex offenders register so he also bypassed that check too

December 2013

Member of notorious paedophile ring who was jailed for abusing over 80 boys is tracked down by our undercover reporter

A member of a paedophile ring which operated from within the St John Ambulance Brigade for over a quarter of a century that identified more than 80 victims, all under 16 has finally been tracked down.

Media: All three of these photographs and wording on this page have been copyrighted. For permission to use these photos and information please contact our website

Former superintendent of St John’s Ambulance Colin Hawyes (pictured above) who is the only surviving member of the ring now lives at Corfe close, Fareham. Hawyes was jailed for just two years in 1998 for indecently assaulting multiple young boys who were cadets 

Some of the offences were more than 30 years old, having all taken place between the mid-1960s and the late 1980s. The victims who gave evidence before the court during the trial in 1998 were in their 30s and 40s.

They had been sexually abused on Brigade camping trips and at another paedophile ring member’s flat, which had been turned into a “mini youth club”.

The ring was headed by the man in charge of the Farnborough Division of the Brigade in Hampshire, Superintendent Leslie Gaines who has since died

Hawyes now owns a static caravan on a very large and family orientated holiday camp that also features a fairground for children. (West sands holidays, in Selsey)

Recently our undercover reporter followed hawyes for a few days and monitored his movements. To our disgust our reporter watched and photographed Hawyes interact with several children who were staying at the caravan camp. Some of those photos are included on this page 

The men, two of whom were superintendents, were charged and jailed in 1998 after a cadet came forward to say he had been abused. It led to a flood of former members making similar allegations.

At one stage 25 detectives were working on the inquiry and even set up a full-scale incident room much like in a murder case.

The investigation was essentially to establish that there was an organised paedophile ring within the St John Ambulance Brigade.

December 2013

Holloway train pervert banned from Overground services for five years after flashing at schoolgirls

A pervert who exposed himself to two teenage girls on an Overground train has been banned from using the service for five years.

Andrew Leontiou, 27, of Benwell Road, Holloway, was jailed for six months in November after admitting exposing himself to the girls, aged 13 and 15, on the service between Caledonian Road and Kentish Town in June.

He followed the girls among the platform where CCTV saw him exposing himself behind them.

He boarded a train with them at 7.40am and exposed himself again, following the girls down the train when they noticed and tried to move away from him.

Leontiou’s victims left the train at Kentish Town and told a PCSO. Leontiou was picked up by a British Transport Police PCSO at Gospel Oak.

In addition to jail, Leontiou, who was on licence for a previous sex offence, was banned from boarding London Overground trains during peak times for five years in a hearing at Blackfriars Crown Court on December 9.

He is also barred from entering Clissold Park and Sobel Leisure Centre until 2018.

Leontiou was convicted of a serious sexual assault on a woman in Clissold Park, Stoke Newington, in May 2011, as well as further sexual assaults at the Sobel Leisure Centre and in Highbury Crescent in April the same year, for which he received a 39-month prison term and was placed on the Sexual Offenders Register.

These were used by British Transport Police in their case against Leontiou to help maximise the ban.

Pc Robert Reed said: “Leontiou’s predatory nature caused not only alarm to the teenagers, but they were forced to leave the train early to escape him.

“Following his sentencing, we applied for a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) to ban Leontiou from continuing to carry out these unwanted sexual advances to passengers on trains.

“We welcome the sentence and SOPO handed to Leontiou and hope it serves as a warning that sexual offences anywhere on the rail network will not be tolerated and are taken extremely seriously by police and the courts.”

The order follows the launch of Project Guardian involving British Transport Police, Metropolitan Police, City of London Police and Transport for London to improve the levels of reporting among victims of sexual offences.

December 2013

Gosport church boat club predator is jailed for sex abuse

A FORMER choirboy who was sexually abused at a Gosport church’s sailing club more than 40 years ago says he has got justice as the man who ‘stole his innocence’ was jailed earlier this month.

Steve Hammond, 57, a manager at BT, had never spoken of the abuse he suffered as a teenager until he went on a child protection course for the same sailing club he had been ‘groomed’ at decades earlier by Mervyn Dyer.

Having waived his right to anonymity after Dyer, 66, of Newport Road in Gosport, was sentenced this month, Mr Hammond told The News that the training course had been the catalyst that led to him telling his wife and the police what happened to him at St Mary’s Junior Sailing Club during the late 60s.

‘The woman running the course started saying that a lot of children don’t report abuse until they are adults and I thought “that is me”. After the course, I walked up to her and confided in her. She was very professional and supportive.

‘My wife asked me how the course went and the floodgates opened. That evening I decided I was going to report it to the police. On the Monday afternoon I went down to Gosport police station. It was closed when I got there. I was on my knees sobbing my heart out and a female PC found me. She took me in and then Neil Harrison, my case officer, contacted me and was very supportive.’

Mr Hammond was interviewed in May and Dyer was arrested.

Dyer was a volunteer at the church and helped teach boys to sail.

According to prosecutor Tammy Mears, it was clear that Dyer had a position of authority over the young people.

Miss Mears said Dyer ‘groomed’ his victim with cigarettes in an outbuilding. She said over time, matters progressed and the offending behaviour escalated.

Between January, 1 1969 and December 31, 1972, Dyer committed acts of indecent assault on a regular basis.

‘Mr Hammond said he was never forced to do anything but the position that Dyer held over Mr Hammond made him feel that he had no choice other than to participate,’ she said.

Mr Hammond broke free from his abuser when he started a relationship with a girl and spent less time at the club.

He is now a volunteer sailing officer and helps maintain the buildings and boats at St Mary’s Junior Sailing Club.

‘In a way it was a disappointment Dyer pleaded guilty,’ he said.

‘If I had given evidence he would know how it has affected my whole life – whether he cares or not. Anyone can say they are sorry and he has had plenty of time to think about it.’

New rules that came into force this month meant Mr Hammond was able to read his victim impact statement out to the court. As he stood in the witness box, describing the impact Dyer’s abuse has had on his adult life, Mr Hammond was overcome with emotion and Judge Richard Price asked him to stand down.

‘I just want him to know what he has done,’ Mr Hammond told the judge.

His statement says the abuse has been a “sentence on my life for the last 44 years”. ‘I am more than happy with his sentence,’ Mr Hammond said.

Alistair Wright, defending, said his client had pleaded guilty but could not remember the offences and denied it had gone on for three years.

‘The context of cigarettes was very different to how it is today,’ said Mr Wright. ‘The context of people smoking and offering cigarettes to those who do not smoke was effectively the norm.

‘The defendant had a sheltered background, a church background, and that maintained itself for much of his adult life. Mr Dyer had no idea about his sexuality and that remains the case today.

‘He has no idea why he conducted himself the way he did. That will be no consolation to Mr Hammond.’

Judge Richard Price said he was unable to jail Dyer for more than three years because he had to follow the law that applied when the offences occurred. He was sentenced to two years at Portsmouth Crown Court – because of his early guilty plea he was entitled to a third off his custodial sentence.

Judge Price said: ‘You stole his innocence. What you did has had a devastating impact on him for 44 years and will for the rest of his life.’

He told Mr Hammond: ‘I hope this will bring you some sort of closure.’

Dyer’s name has been added to the Sex Offenders’ Register and he has been banned from working with children.

‘I hope if anyone else was abused this will help them to find the strength to come forward,’ Steve said. ‘I find it hard to believe that I was the only one. Why would he have stopped after me?’

STATEMENT REVEALS EFFECT OF ABUSE

Mr Hammond’s victim impact statement, which was read to the court:

‘On Saturday, May 18, I attended a child protection course, and that is when my world fell apart, the course was the trigger which unlocked all the memories that I had buried deep in my mind.

‘I went home and told my wife, and she was the first person I had ever spoken to about the abuse after 44 years of keeping these memories buried. That weekend I felt that I was doing nothing other than cry.

‘In the days that followed I had horrible graphic images flash into my mind of what happened at the time. I would burst into tears for no apparent reason, despite having my family supporting me and around me, I felt lonely and hated my own company.

‘I flipped at times over minor situations, over things that I would normally handle without any problems. My doctor prescribed me sleeping tables to help me and I still have to use them when the memories of what happened catch up with me.

‘My church helped me locate a charitable organisation that have provided me with further interim counselling for six weeks to help me copy with day-to-day life. I am on the waiting list for further treatment from this organisation but have been advised that the waiting list is currently 12 months.

‘I am still feeling lonely, sad and having flashbacks and bursting into tears for no apparent reason.

‘Mr Dyer stole my innocence and negatively affected my normal development into a young man, and this impact has been a sentence on my life for the last 44 years.

‘Some issues may be with me for life.’

March 2006

Pervert Jailed For Attack On Girl, 5

A PENDLE MAN who sexually attacked a five-year-old girl he became attracted to has been jailed for six years.

Cuthbert Taylor (54), simulated intercourse with the little girl, committed a sex act on her, and encouraged her to strip naked.

She later complained to her mother about his conduct, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Taylor, who recently chose to try to take his life rather than face a jail term, had “distorted attitudes” over what had happened, the court heard.

Sentencing, Judge Pamela Badley told the defendant it might be that work could be done with him in prison.

The defendant, originally charged with raping the victim, admitted assault by penetration and sexual activity with a child.

He had originally pleaded not guilty to the charges but owned up before a jury was shown the little girl talking to police and cuddling her teddy bear.

Taylor, of Fir Street, Nelson, was put on the Sex Offenders Register for life and banned from working with children.

He has already been made the subject of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, prohibiting him from having contact with youngsters under 17.

June Morris (prosecuting) told the court the offences came to light in June last year when the girl’s mother was preparing her for bed.

The child said she did not want a bath and her mother took her to the bedroom and asked what the problem was.

The child said the defendant had told her not to say anything, but had been touching her and committed a sex act on her.

Miss Morris said police were called and when a doctor examined the little girl, she found evidence of trauma. Taylor was arrested last June. He denied touching the child sexually and when charged with the offences, he replied: “Not guilty”.

Mr Wayne Goldstein (defending) said the offences were undoubtedly serious and the defendant was fully aware that custody would follow.

He said when Taylor first met the child, he did not have ulterior motives, but he became attracted to her.

He did not threaten her or offer bribes and the girl was not injured.

At the time the little girl was video interviewed by police, she did not appear traumatised by what happened, but she did not realise the significance of what happened to her.

Mr Goldstein said: “These are cases in which guilty pleas are often not forthcoming. Quite simply he could not accept what he had done.

“He felt the utmost shame for what he had done and simply couldn’t face up to it.

“It was on being confronted with the video evidence played for him that he immediately accepted his responsibility with no reservations or conditions.”

The barrister said Taylor showed remorse to the girl and to his family, who would be affected by what he had done.

Mr Goldstein went on: “He is thoroughly disgusted with what he has done and wishes to say in the strongest possible terms how sorry he is.”

Mr Goldstein added that the defendant had tried to kill himself because he did not know if he would be able to cope with prison and thought that was the only way out.

He added: “He accepts he has a problem. This matter is a blight on his life.”

March 1996

Child hangs himself after social workers were unable to offer him counselling because of fears of prejudicing sex offender’s trial

13 year old boy at the centre of an abuse case hanged himself from a door with a guitar strap after social workers were unable to offer him counselling because of fears of prejudicing a sex offender’s trial

Declan Curran’s mother, a York City councillor, told the inquest into his death yesterday, that after an investigation for assault committed against him got underway, social workers said no counselling or therapy could be offered because it would contaminate the evidence.

Declan Curran, 13, was found hanging at his home in York the day after he saw sex offender David Fisher then on bail in a nearby street. Six weeks later Fisher was jailed for four years at York Crown Court for assaults on three other boys.

His mother Anne Curran, 43, said ” I think Declan would be alive today if they had given him the help he asked for. He was desperate to talk to someone. But social workers said there was no possibility of discussing the abuse before the trial. They did not want to contaminate the evidence.” 

North Yorkshire social services director Rosemary Archer said social services were bound by national rules. There had been concerned about the present policy and they were still awaiting national guidelines

The coroner recorded an open verdict saying he was not satisfied that Declan had intended to take his own life and it might have been a cry for help.

Film tribute to Declan

His brother’s tragic death has led a young York director to make a film with a message of hope. He spoke candidly to CHRIS TITLEY about a difficult past and a mission for the future

TUESDAY, June 6, 1995: a day etched so deeply into Kevin Curran’s consciousness that he can recall every detail as if it happened moments before. “I woke up in the morning to a scream. I ran downstairs. My mum was screaming. I walked into the front room. He was hanging in the doorway from a guitar strap.” He hesitates. “It was just surreal, completely surreal.”

Desperate attempts were made to save Declan Curran, Kevin’s 13-year-old brother. “I remember a man came into our house who I have never seen before or since, and he tried to help my brother,” he said. It was no use. Declan had been dead for six hours.

“The most hard thing was standing outside and watching them zip the black bag over his face.”

Declan took his own life shortly before he was due to give evidence in a sexual abuse trial. The case had taken a long time to get to court as the defendant had pleaded not guilty. Declan was facing the ordeal of the witness box. Kevin had also been abused, and he said his brother “took his own life which meant we didn’t have to go through with it”.

The system let them down, Kevin said. “When we were going through it, it seemed like the abuser was protected. It seemed like my little brother couldn’t talk about it.

“They wouldn’t let him, because it would contaminate the court evidence.”

After a flirtation with drugs, it took the support of family, friends and the Church for Kevin to finally come to terms with what happened that day. Now he is determined to make the most of his life.

Kevin’s is an inspiring story of hope triumphing over despair. Born the fifth of nine brothers and sisters, to former city councillor Anne Curran and her husband Ken, he spent much of his childhood living in Wilberforce Avenue, Clifton.

“It was really rough,” he recalled. “I didn’t like it. We got quite a lot of stick when we first moved there.

“My mum and dad were Irish and there was a bit of a stigma attached to that.

“I went to All Saints School, quite a middle class, Catholic school. I got quite a lot of abuse there because of my social status. I didn’t really fit in.

“Then there was quite a lot of bullying. I got beaten up a couple of times. It was an unhappy time for me. I didn’t really know who I was or what I was doing.

“People say it’s lonely being the only child. But even with all these brothers and sisters around and so much going on, you can be lonely. You don’t know what to do or where to go.”

Kevin is totally honest about his relationship with Declan. “He was very different. Because I was two years older than him, I used to fight quite a lot with him. We were at that age when brothers and sisters fight.

“I went through quite a hard time after what happened, because of all the guilt feelings. But I know he knew I loved him.”

Declan, he said, “had a more calm and kind nature than anyone else. We were a little bit more wild. It wasn’t the best of relationships. But that’s one of the things, when you lose someone, it makes you realise how important life is, and your brother’s life is.”

The man who abused Declan and Kevin, an acquaintance of their older brother, was later jailed.

After these traumas, Kevin sought an escape in drugs. He had a place at York College to study for a diploma in media production, but was in danger of being thrown off the course for not applying himself.

But the college authorities gave Kevin another chance. His faith was also crucial, and he enjoyed more support from members of the Church of the Redeemer in Clifton.

Now he has turned his life around, is drug-free and is studying for a BA honours degree in photo media at the Plymouth College of Art and Design.

Kevin has just finished casting his film, Inner Sense, to be shot in Plymouth. Although the film is rooted in Kevin’s experiences and dedicated to Declan, it is not their life story.

“My brother obviously gave up on life because of sexual abuse and the way the system dealt with that.

“I didn’t feel at this stage in my life I was ready to deal with that, but it is definitely something I want to tackle.”

Instead, it tells the story of Andy, a child who is physically abused by his father and brought up on a socially deprived estate. Thanks to the support of his mates and his own observations of the better lives enjoyed by others, a despairing Andy realises that he can go on. The film closes with him as a school head teacher, helping another boy to cope with emotions of pain and anger he readily recognises.

Through Andy’s journey from isolation and despair to self-belief and hope, Inner Sense explores how it is possible to overcome the worst life can offer to find something better.

Inner Sense has the support of The Samaritans. The organisation is desperate to let young men know there is a way out of their anguish before it’s too late: the suicide rate for young men has doubled since the early Eighties and a parliamentary committee was set up this week to investigate the scale of the tragedy.

Kevin and his “hugely talented” team need more support to fund the film, however. If anyone can help sponsor such a worthwhile project, they can contact him via the numbers at the end of this article.

“The film is a cry out to say: ‘Don’t give up’,” Kevin says. And he has an almost evangelical zeal for putting this message across.

“I just really feel that I am here for a purpose, I have been given experience that I should share with other people.”

Declan isn’t Kevin’s only loss: a good boyhood friend from Clifton also died tragically young, of a methadone overdose, he said. “It just makes you think: they have gone, they had nowhere to turn.”

His film will be premiered at a Plymouth cinema before being shown at film festivals. Kevin also hopes it will gain wider distribution so many more teenagers get to see it. This will be, he hopes, the start of a career making films dealing with “issues that matter”.

Kevin believes he will see his younger brother again. And he hopes Declan appreciates what he’s trying to do.

“I just hope that he would see that I really didn’t want him to go away. We wanted him to go on and try to struggle through it.

“It’s taken Declan to go away to realise how important my family, my friends really are.”

October 2013

Twisted dad who molested and beat his daughter walks free after his daughter begs a court not to jail him

A sicko dad who sexually abused and beat his daughter from the age of five has walked free from court.

Vile Oliver Haskett, 61, dodged a prison sentence after his daughter pleaded with a judge not to imprison her abuser father.

Haskett admitted to 32 counts of sexual abuse and indecent assault against his daughter Sheila Ryan, who waived her right to anonymity.

In an extraordinary step, brave Sheila wrote to presiding judge Carroll Moran asking for him not to jail Haskett.

Handing down a four-year sentence, which he suspended, Judge Moran said: “I do take into account his daughter’s request. It is a judge who decides but a judge may take requests into consideration…and I do take (this request) into consideration.”

Judge Moran commended Ms Ryan’s “Christian charity and forgiveness”.

The court heard Haskett had began the abuse when his daughter was five, although the charges against him related to when the child was aged between 11 and 18.

He had taken her into his bed, normally on weekends, where he would touch her private parts and get her to touch his own.

The court was also told he would French kiss his daughter.

Judge Moran said Haskett had “committed a breach of trust”.

He said: “Worse than that is the fact that he was abusing his own daughter.”

Judge Moran noted these type of family sexual abuse cases “are mostly committed by stepfathers and not natural ones”.

He said the abuse “resulted in the premature sexualisation” of his daughter.

Before passing sentence the judge said: “There may be family ramifications, which I am not aware of, but I can only imagine.”

The judge said the abuse had been “profoundly traumatic” on the victim and “had effected her entire life”.

He said: “She feels she has lost her childhood and has suffered an eating disorder.”

The court heard Mr Haskett had already paid €160,000 compensation to his daughter from the sale of a house.

Ms Ryan said she had been “shocked” to learn her father had been taken into custody on remand from when he pleaded guilty nearly two weeks ago.

She wrote to judge Moran explaining that she was now satisfied her father acknowledged “he had done wrong” and that procedures were in place to protect Haskett’s grandchildren.

The court heard Haskett had since remarried after divorcing the victim’s mother.

The judge said: “He has spent 18 months in therapy at the Granada Institute, and the report provided is positive in some respects.”

In her victim impact statement, the victim said she tried to kill herself during the “darkest days” of her life from the ages of 13 to 23.

She said her father was a control freak who would correct her and abuse her for little mistakes.

After being chastised and beaten she was sexually abused by her father in her parents’ bed.

Mr Haskett also took photographs of his daughter when she was naked.

Ms Ryan, who is now married with children, said she still suffers from depression and recalled how she has also battled eating disorders and difficulties with alcohol.

The mother of two said she was “physically, emotionally and sexually abused by her father” during a dysfunctional childhood, which she said her mother facilitated.

Judge Carroll Moran said that it was a very difficult case and “particularly serious” as it involved the abuse by a father of his daughter.

He ordered Haskett be placed on Register for Sex Offenders, for a period of five years.

October 2013

Terrible secrets of abuse at Limerick family guesthouse

A MOTHER-of-two has recalled the darkest days of her life when she contemplated suicide after repeated sexual abused by her controlling father over an eight year period.

Oliver Haskett (61) formerly of Foynes, Kilcornan and Adare, but now with an address in Westbury, Corbally, Co Clare, pleaded guilty to 12 counts of indecent assault on his daughter, Sheila Ryan, between January 1988 and December 31, 1990 and to a further 20 counts of sexual assault between January 1991 and December 1995.

Limerick Circuit Court heard how he abused his daughter in empty bedrooms of their guesthouse in Adare.

Prosecuting counsel Michael Collins said matters came to light when Mr Haskett wrote a letter to his daughter apologising for the years of abuse.

In her victim impact statement, Sheila Ryan said she was suicidal and abused alcohol because she wanted to black out.

“My father told my friends and cousins not to behave like me, but I now know the shame I felt was not my fault.”

She lived in an atmosphere of correction and control by her father who was the dominant figure in the house.

The victim, who is now aged 36, waived her right to anonymity and said the abuse started when she was five. She was beaten over the mispronunciation of words and after being beaten, was brought to a bedroom where inappropriate behaviour took place.

Her father took photographs of her when she was naked. Holiday pictures were also taken between 1985 and 1986 when she was paddling in a stream and encouraged to take her clothes off to be photographed.

A “bold list” was kept by her mother and this was then given to Haskett in the evening for him to administer punishment.

On Saturdays, Sheila recalled how he would call her to his bedroom where he would get her to touch his penis and he would touch her. His penis was always erect during the abuse.

“I trusted him. I depended on my parents. I needed them but there was no escape from the element of fear”.

When she was 14 years old, her father would “French kiss” her, undress her and touch her.

In 1991, the family had a bed and breakfast in Adare and her relationship with her parents deteriorated dramatically.

When she was 16, her father undressed her and touched her breasts in an empty single room in the bed and breakfast house. A year later, he rubbed his erect penis against her naked body and vagina. He touched her breasts and kissed her.

Her father and mother divorced in 2005 and the entire proceeds from the sale of an investment property Haskett had was given to her.

Defence counsel Pat Barriscale said that this was by way of full and frank admissions for his wrong doing.

She knew she was in danger and was “very frightened”.

“When I left home, I finally got to separate myself from my family experience which was not healthy”.

She underwent counselling after she “lost her childhood”.

“I didn’t have a father to protect me from abuse and my mother facilitated it. I was on my own”.

She blamed herself for the abuse and suffered from depression, eating disorders and alcohol abuse. She had difficulties with relationships and “was ashamed and sick of having this terrible secret. They were some of my darkest days”.

“I was confused, alone and isolated but I now know the shame was not my fault”.

Judge Carroll Moran was told that the accused man was also “sexualised from a very early age”.

The Granada Institute deemed Haskett to be of a moderate risk to reoffend but added that that trajectory of risk should go downward if he maintained his treatment on a long-term basis. The Institute also alerted the HSE when he moved to Clare.

Stating that he had quite a lot to consider in relation to the case, Judge Moran adjourned the case and remanded Haskett in custody until October 24 for sentencing, ordering that his name be put on the Register for Sex Offenders with the period to be determined at the next hearing.

December 2013

Hartlepool pervert admits possessing more than 1k indecent images of children

A PERVERT has admitted a string of offences relating to over 1,000 indecent images of children.

John Sumner appeared before Hartlepool Magistrates’ Court and pleaded guilty to 19 charges of making indecent photographs and pseudo photographs of children between September 24, 2002, and February 2, 2004.

The 55-year-old also admitted a further four charges of possessing indecent photographs and pseudo photographs of children – totalling 1,080 images.

Those four charges relate to April 11 this year.

Chairman of the bench of magistrates Esther Blakey sent the case to be dealt with by a judge at Teesside Crown Court where Sumner will be sentenced.

The defendant, who lives in Sheriff Street, in the town centre area of Hartlepool, was released by justices on bail.

A date and time for the sentencing hearing at the crown court in Middlesbrough has yet to be fixed