April 2016

Pervert had sex with schoolgirl – then posted X-rated photos of her on Instagram

This is the teenager who had sex with a schoolgirl – then posted explicit images of her on Instagram.

Leslie Smith, 18, pressured his victim into repeated sexual acts when he was 16, before sleeping with her when he was 17.

When she tried to escape his attention, Smith, of Dovecot Place, Dovecot , publicly humiliated the girl by sharing the indecent photos online.

He was today locked up for three-and-a-half years.

Judge Clement Goldstone, QC, said Smith had intended to “make her life a misery”, adding: “It was despicable and mean behaviour.”

He said: “For over a year you wrecked this young girl’s life – eventually destroying her self-confidence and resolve.”

Liverpool Crown Court heard how Smith ignored the victim’s “repeated refusals” and “pestered her” until she allowed him to touch her sexually.

Smith knew she was under-age but persuaded her to perform other sexual acts with him in a field and to have full sex.

Sarah Holt, prosecuting, said the girl tried to stop Smith contacting her, but he said he knew people “who would smash her head in for him”.

He threatened the victim’s friends and demanded her contact details, telling one girl: “Not even a****, you can show anyone these messages but she isn’t safe and neither is her house once I’m in jail.

“She’s not safe anywhere in Liverpool . Wherever she lives her house goes.”

Smith convinced the victim to send him pictures of herself undressed and also took photos of her when they had sex.

He threatened to post them online and eventually did on his Instagram account, before deleting them and saying sorry.

But it was a “hollow apology” as he then persuaded another girl to set up an anonymous Instagram account.

On his behalf she posted explicit pictures of the victim, her name, mobile phone number and address, and threats to brick windows and assault her child relatives.

When police went to Smith’s home to arrest him, his dad initially refused them entry.

Ms Holt said: “Officers found the defendant hiding on a small flat roof just outside his bedroom window.”

Smith said: “How can it be rape when she was consenting to everything?” before adding: “I’m going to smash her head in, the s***.”

Liverpool Crown Court heard that after he was arrested and bailed, Smith and a gang chased after his victim at the Asda supermarket in Huyton and threatened to break her legs.

The embarrassed victim told the court she was scared to go out because of Smith’s threats.

She said she suffered panic attacks when “I feel like I cannot breathe” and said: “I feel like he had control and some kind of power over me.”

Smith admitted eight counts of sexual activity with a child, two counts of inciting a child into sexual activity and intimidation.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of making indecent images of a child, taking an indecent image of a child and two counts of disclosing sexual photographs with intent to cause distress.

Julian Nutter, defending, said his client had experienced the “utter shock” of custody and “lived in fear because of the nature of these offences”.

He said “immature” Smith was “truly sorry” to the girl and her family.

Judge Goldstone made an indefinite restraining order and handed Smith a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

The teen sobbed in the dock as the judge told him to sign the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.

April 2016

Former Maidstone driving instructor convicted of indecently assaulting learner during lesson

A former driving instructor is facing sentence after he was convicted of indecently assaulting a pupil more than 15 years ago.

Sentence was adjourned on Wayne Dale, 70, for reports but a judge warned him: “All sentences are at large.”

The 17-year-old victim was having lessons with Dale in Maidstone when he groped her and attempted to kiss her, the town’s Crown Court heard.

He was alleged to have told her: “I will get you next time. Next time I will have you over the bonnet of the car.”

Prosecutor Alec Williams said after the lessons started the small talk became sexual with Dale making comments about her breasts getting bigger.

“It is an indication of the direction of travel the relationship was going,” he said. “It was a warning flag. She was beginning to feel increasingly uncomfortable.

“She was taking steps to dress down somewhat and avoid comments from him about her appearance.”

Mr Williams said Dale told the girl he could give her some free lessons if she performed a sex act on him.

“We have gone through amber lights in communication between the two in banter,” he said

Mr Williams said the teenager was having a lesson at Blue Bell Hill when Dale made a grab for her breasts while she was driving.

“It was out-of-the-blue unsolicited conduct,” he said. “It was an indecent assault in any language. She carried on with lessons.”

There was “a more concerted assault”, he said, at Maidstone test centre during a cigarette break.

“He grabs for her breasts and attempts to kiss her,” said Mr Williams. “She turns her head away. His hands are on the top of her thighs and heading towards her groin area.”

Dale then made the comment about getting her next time, he said.

She told her mother she did not want any more lessons from Dale because he was making passes at her.

The prosecutor said there was “a significant hiatus” before the victim complained to the police. She made an attempt to complain at the time but it was not pursued.

It was not until 2013 that she did so. Dale denied there was any conduct of a sexual nature.

Now of Nursery Road, Godalming, Surrey, he denied two charges of indecent assault.

The jury of eight men and four women convicted him of one charge and acquitted him of the other.

Judge Julian Smith continued bail until sentence. Dale’s name will appear on the sex offenders’ register

April 2016

Cleethorpes sex offender sentenced to 14 years

April 2016

Repeat Chelmsford sex offender jailed after attempting to meet-up with 14-year-old schoolgirl

A HOMELESS sex offender who attempted to meet-up with a 14-year-old girl after almost a year of grooming and “sexual banter” is back behind bars.

Jamie Goodchild, 22, served 12 months in a young offenders’ institute after instigating a relationship with a different 14-year-old between 2012 and 2013, but upon his release almost immediately began texting a family friend.

Goodchild pleaded guilty to a count of meeting a child after sexual grooming, as well as two breaches of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order in Chelmsford Crown Court, where Judge Emma Peters heard that the ex-drug-user’s victim approached police after discovering his criminal past.

Prosecuting, Stephen Rose told the court on Thursday: “They had communicated over Facebook and text messages for much of 2015.

“For most of that period of time, she was 13, and Jamie Goodchild had indicated to her that he was 18, when in fact he was probably 21 or 22.

“During 2015, the communications became increasingly sexual in nature. They seemed to stop over Christmas but resumed in January 2016 and these communications are described as being sexualised.

“That led to an arrangement to meet in Costa Coffee in Bridport in Dorset, which would have involved a significant journey for him.”

Goodchild never actually made the trip, with the victim describing feeling “stood up by him”, but despite that, communications continued.

“There were some further conversations,” Mr Rose continued, “where the defendant engaged in sexual banter and continued to talk about meeting up.”

After the victim was made aware of the 22-year-old’s previous sexual offences, she reported his conduct to the police.

He was brought in for police interview on January 21, answering “no comment” to all charges, was charged that day, and has remained in custody since.

In a pre-sentence report prepared by the Probation Service, it was stated that Goodchild posed a “high risk of serious harm” to under-age girls, which was taken into account by Judge Peters when passing sentence.

Mitigating, Gavin Capper said: “He initially received contact from her by text message; the defendant received some attention from this person, he was on his own as his family have completely cut him off and he responded, in his own words, ‘out of stupidity’.

“There is a significant disparity in age and he understands that being subject to a sexual offences order, he should have taken the position that his behaviour wasn’t acceptable.

“He doesn’t drive, he had no family or friends around; there was, in reality, no way he could have gone down to Dorset to see her. He explained that it was all a fantasy in effect.

“I think the main cut and thrust is that this wasn’t somebody acting in a predatory manner and seeking this person out.

“The initial contact came from her, but Mr Goodchild accepts that his behaviour was completely inappropriate and prolonged.”

The court heard that Goodchild, whose last registered address was Hobart Close, Chelmsford, had been working at the city’s homeless shelter Sanctus in Broomfield Road in return for accommodation after battling problems with drugs in the past.

“He has been making some attempts to put his life back together,” Mr Capper added.

“He has been clean from drugs for 14 months now and says he has no desires to return to that lifestyle.

“Mr Goodchild understands that he is facing a custodial sentence; his aim is to serve his sentence, be rehabilitated and change his life.”

Addressing Goodchild as she sentenced him to 20 months in prison, Judge Peters said: “It is very fortunate for the girl involved and for you that you didn’t turn up to that meeting.

“Thereafter you still continued to show an interest in meeting her and made sexual comments until she had the good sense to report the matter to the police.

“I am acutely aware that these are serious offences. You say you want to turn your life around and want to address these issues that you seem to have and it is right that society should want you to have that help to ensure that you pose no threat to girls in the future.

“I want to be absolutely clear that nothing short of imprisonment will suffice.”

Alongside the 20-month prison sentence, a new Sexual Harm Prevention Order was imposed for a period of 10 years, and Goodchild will be put on the sex offenders register for the same timeframe.

April 2016

Convicted child sex offender warned facing “significant sentence” after abusing eight people from same village

A CONVICTED child sex offender was warned he is facing a “significant sentence” after he was convicted for abusing eight people – all from the same village.

The warning was given by Judge Simon Hickey following the trial of John Jeffrey Mawson, at Durham Crown Court.

He told Mawson he must also consider whether he should be classed as a dangerous offender, in which case an indeterminate or extended sentence could be imposed to protect the public.

April 2016

Ex-teacher at Edinburgh school guilty of assault and sexual remarks

A former science teacher at an Edinburgh school has been found guilty of assaulting a 13-year-old boy and making sexual comments to a 13-year-old girl.

Gavin Atkinson, 58, repeatedly pushed the boy and pressed his body against a doorway with his knee.

He claimed he told the “disruptive” girl he could see her underwear “to try to embarrass her” into calming down.

Sentence on Atkinson, of Dumfries, was deferred at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

The trial heard the boy had been told to wait behind at the end of the school day for a period of detention.

He tried to leave the classroom to meet his mother in the car park, but Atkinson stopped him.

The boy, now 16, said: “As I tried to walk past, he pushed me. I tried to get past, but he pushed me again.

“I tried to crawl through his legs, but he grabbed me by the shoulders and chest. I remember him saying, ‘You are not going to move 18 stone’.”

He added that Atkinson used his knee to jam his shoulder on the door. The boy said he later went to the Sick Kids’ Hospital and his arm was put in a sling.

Another pupil told how the girl climbed up on a work surface to open a window “and began dancing about”.

She said Atkinson “said something about her having pink tights and polka dot pants”.

Atkinson told the court the girl was being disruptive, showing off and refusing to come down.

He said: “I thought I might embarrass her by saying I could see her knickers and she got down and sat down.”

Finding Atkinson guilty of the two charges, Sheriff Michael O’Grady QC said: “I find Mr Atkinson’s demeanour strangely and wholly unconvincing or credible.”

Sheriff O’Grady described two pupils who gave evidence as being convincing and credible. He added that both had been prepared to admit certain aspects of their behaviour.

Sentence was deferred on until 27 May for the preparation of a social work report, and Atkinson was ordered to register as a sex offender.

April 2016

Man spared jail over sex attack on teenage girl 

A married dad has been spared jail over a sex attack on a teenage girl in a Hebburn shop.

Scott Langford had called into a store for cigarettes after a drunken works night out to celebrate 20 years service with his company.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the 39-year-old initially “leered” at the teen, before pressing against her.

He then “forcefully and unpleasantly” grabbed her bottom and squeezed.

Langford was arrested thanks to the bravery of another customer, who saw what was going on so confronted and detained him.

Langford, of Ralph Street, Hebburn, pleaded guilty to sexual assault.

Judge Tim Gittins told him: “It was a worrying display of such behaviour, it was demeaning to her and left her frightened.

“Clearly she was shocked, disgusted and intimidated by your behaviour.

“It has left her nervous.

“It was appalling behaviour, that I think you now recognise as such. “

Judge Gittins praised the customer’s bravery for stepping in when he saw what was going on.

The judge said: “He didn’t know what your reaction might be.”

Langford was sentenced to three months imprisonment, suspended for two years, with programme requirements.

He must register as a sex offender for the next seven years.

The judge said Langford’s previous positive character, years of hard work and lack of relevant previous convictions meant the prison sentence could be suspended.

April 2016

Respected Denbighshire ‘family man’ jailed for child sex offences

An outwardly respectable family man’s dark past caught up with him when he was jailed for nine years on child sex charges.

When police searched Peter Johnson’s home they found indecent still images and movies of child sex abuse on his computers.

Johnson, 68, who has been living in a hotel in East Parade, Rhyl , since leaving his family home in disgrace, admitted sexual activity with a child between 2004 and 2006, making and possessing indecent images and attempting to engage a child abroad to engage in sexual activity.

In addition to the prison sentence, Judge Geraint Walters ordered him to register with the police as a sex offender for life.

A lifetime sexual harm prevention order was also made.

Prosecuting barrister John Philpotts told Mold Crown Court that the images were found in May 2014 and while that investigation was going on the victim of the earlier sexual offences came forward.

Police received a 999 call from the man, now a chronic alcoholic, who disclosed a series of offences upon when he was 13, 14 and 15.

The offences happened on a regular basis, they greatly affected his life, he would sometimes drink a bottle of vodka a day, had no self esteem.

He self-harmed and had threatened suicide.

Judge Walters told Johnson that outwardly he was a respectable family man married with two grown up children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

“Beneath that exterior, of course, there was a dark side to you which the family knew nothing about,” the judge said.

Johnson was probably a man who was interested in sexual relationships with both males and females and that would have been no one’s business and did not begin to explain the offences he had committed.

“Your dark secret was not simply a question about your sexuality but of having a sexual interest in children,” he said.

”That is very wrong.”

He had a decade ago systematically abused a teenage boy from about the age of 13, for some three years.

He said that youngsters should not have to deal with older and sophisticated men dealing with them as sexual playthings.

His computer showed his keen interest in sexual activity of that sort and the charge involving a teenage boy abroad showed that despite his age he was still showing an interest in sexual activity with boys.

The images found showed the gravest acts of depravity being perpetrated by adults on young children.

Defending barrister Owen Edwards said that it had been consentual behaviour towards a vulnerable young man.

But the defendant had damaged an already damaged young man who had been taken advantage of by his client and others.

Johnson had been an industrious man who led an impeccable life but the proceedings had been devastating.

He no longer lived at the family home and he had lost the support of his family.

He had kept secret all his life an aspect of his sexuality and had indulged in his interest in young teenage boys.

The defendant had suffered a very public shame. He was well known and well regarded in his local community and had shown genuine remorse for what he had done.

April 2016

Keep it secret, depraved pensioner Malcolm Cox warned seven-year-old girl

A 68-year-old pensioner has been jailed at Worcester Crown Court after admitting having child abuse images and indecently assaulting a seven-year-old girl.

Malcolm Cox, of Wren Way, Farnborough, Hants, was alleged to have committed the offences during visits to Worcester last year.

Jailing him for three years, Judge Robert Juckes QC said the case was a classic example of depravity arising from this kind of interest.

Prosecutor Dean Kershaw said Cox was arrested after the girl complained to her mother of inappropriate touching she had been asked to keep secret.

Cox pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual assault and four of possessing indecent images of children.Examination of his computers and mobile phone revealed more than 1,420 pictures of children being abused, some as young as three and four.

Alistair Wright, mitigating, said Cox was of previous good character and had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

The judge ordered the destruction of the computer equipment and made a sexual harm prevention order to last indefinitely. Cox, who can be released after 18 months, must register as a sex offender for life.

April 2016

Man admits sexual contact with children

A TEENAGER has admitted having sex with three children in Dundee.

Kyle Leonard, 19, committed the offences on separate occasions between the winter of 2013 and the spring of 2014, Dundee Sheriff Court heard.

He admitted to having sex with a child on various occasions between early 2013 and late 2013 at a property in Dundee.

He further admitted having sex with another child at another location within the city between 2013 and 2014.

And he admitted a charge of having sex with a third child over the course of two months in 2014 at another property in Dundee.

Sentence for Leonard — whose address was given in court as Polmont Prison — was deferred for reports until May 17.

Meanwhile, Leonard also appeared on a charge that he shouted and swore inside Dundee Sheriff Court on a date earlier this year.

The former Lawton Terrace resident admitted that, on February 4, at the court, he behaved in a threatening or abusive manner — which was likely to cause a reasonable person to suffer fear or alarm — in that he repeatedly shouted and swore.

He committed the offence while he was on bail.

Sentence on that was also deferred until May 17.

Laurie Matthew, of Dundee-based Eighteen and Under, says her charity offers support to those who have been victims of cases like these.

She said: “A person of that age is very impressionable and would possibly be flattered by the attention of a young man.

“The child would not have the social skills or life experience, though, to manage such a relationship.

“A child would find it difficult to resist pressures to have sex as it would be outwith the youngster’s experience.

“While the child might be unaware of how this might affect them at the time due to being emotionally immature, the chances are that children who have experienced this might well end up with emotional and psychological problems.

“In Dundee there is support for young survivors of such abuse.

“Eighteen And Under provides a high level of confidential support and young people can just drop in of an evening or make an appoint, if preferred.

“There is also Victim Support and WRASAC who also provide support.”

She added: “Regarding the offender, not enough work is done to stop these men reoffending and unfortunately their sentencing does not reflect the seriousness of the crime.

“Abuse can affect survivors their whole lives but these men often only spend a few months in prison.”

April 2016

Former Northwood teacher spared immediate jail term for making indecent image of child

A retired teacher at a Northwood private school has been spared an immediate jail term after he was sentenced for making indecent images of children.

Barry Abraham, of Gerard Gardens, Pinner , appeared at Isleworth Crown Court on Thursday (April 28) charged with six counts of making an indecent photograph/pseudo image of a child.

The 57-year-old, who retired from teaching at St Martin’s Preparatory School in Northwood – attended by children aged three to 13 years old – in 2013, was sentenced to 16 months’ imprisonment.

But he had his sentence suspended for two years, meaning he will not go to jail if he does not offend again during this period. He is also to undergo a 12-month sex offender’s treatment programme.

Police confirmed the charges did not relate to any pupils at the school.

Abraham had previously pleaded guilty to the offence at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on March 30.

April 2016

Man avoids jail after admitting to possessing indecent images of children

A ST Austell man avoided jail at Truro Crown Court after admitting to having more than 1000 indecent images of children.

Barry Hardman, 26, of Truro Road, St Austell, pleaded guilty to eight counts of possessing indecent images of children.

He was reported to police after a person whose home he was staying at found the images on a laptop.

Judge Christopher Harvey Clarke accepted Hardman had pleaded guilty and been very frank with his admissions.

He said: “I do not make the law but I have to enforce it. The law reflects a general perception among ordinary people that indecent images of children are beyond the pale and they shouldn’t be looked at by anybody.

“They are generally regarded as disgusting and you unfortunately have been tempted to look at such material, presumably for your own sexual gratification, this must stop.

“I’m going to give you the opportunity today to take a programme which will help you from being tempted to look at these images.

“All such images necessarily involve the exploitation of children and that is something which all sensible people in this county regard as completely unacceptable.”

The judge added there was a large amount of category A images found – the most serious category of the offence.

Police found 918 category A images, 611 category B images, and 233 category C images.

He sentence Hardman to a 12 month prison sentence, to be suspended for two years, for the offences.

A sexual harm prevention order will be in effect for 10 years which will prevent Hardman from using any device connected to the internet which cannot record a history of what is looked at.

Police will be able to look at any computers or other devices he uses for the internet for the duration of the order.

He will also have to attend 35 days of sexual offenders treatment and 35 days of rehabilitation.

April 2016

Pervert who had 62k videos, spared second jail term over indecent child images

A Stevenage man previously jailed for downloading indecent images of children has been spared a second prison sentence after being caught in possession of 62,000 videos.

When police arrived on Mark Roulson’s doorstep in Prestatyn Close on March 3 last year and asked if he had been accessing illegal images, Roulson said: “What like the last time in ’99? Well, yes, I have seen some children.”

In 1999 he was jailed for five months for ten counts of possessing indecent images of children.

Today, (Friday, April 29) the 51-year-old pleaded guilty to three offences of possessing indecent images of children, one charge of possessing extreme pornographic images, and one of possessing a prohibited image of a child.

Cambridge Crown Court was told the charges related to 381 movies and 131 still photographs at the highest category A; 118 movies and 150 stills at category B; and 129 movies and 4,040 stills at category C of girls aged four to 15.

There were also seven movies and 72 stills of bestiality and one prohibited cartoon.

The court heard that in addition to the photographs and movies in the charges, police found 61,853 videos which had not been examined because it would take “hundreds of man hours to do so”, said the prosecutor.

They did not form part of the charges.

Judge Jonathan Haworth told Roulson he had fully intended to jail him for the latest offences but a pre-sentence report had “cogently and logically” suggested it should be suspended so he could take advantage of a rehabilitation programme.

Roulson received a 16-month prison term, suspended for two years, with a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement, and was ordered to pay £425 costs.

He will also be on the sex offenders’ register for ten years and the judge made a sexual harm prevention order for 12 years, allowing police to monitor his internet use and history.

Prosecutor Duncan O’donnell said in 1999 Roulson was working in Sainsbury’s computer and IT department and downloading indecent images of children on to his work computer. He was caught out by his employer.

Mitigating, Rosie Bayley said rehabilitation programmes were not available in 1999 and Roulson wanted to have an opportunity now of following a programme to prevent him re-offending.

“There’s a reluctance from him to accept there’s an active attraction to children.

“He says it’s something he has tried to bury, or deny because it’s shameful,” she told the court.

“He hopes that this programme will bring him through the process of accepting that attraction. The programme will significantly reduce the risk of re-offending.”

April 2016

Joiner facing jail after admitting addiction to child abuse images

A joiner is facing jail for downloading a horde of child abuse images.

Lyall Pert’s home in Invergowrie, near Dundee, was raided by cops on June 11 last year.

He told his partner “I can’t stop” as he was arrested.

Police officers seized a laptop computer, two mobile telephones and a tablet from his home and discovered 277 images and four videos, featuring male and female victims from infants to children aged around 15 years.

Some were “extremely graphic”,

Pert, 53, of Greystane Road, pled guilty on indictment to charges of downloading and possessing indecent images of children and breaching bail.

Sentence was deferred until next month and Pert placed on the sex offenders’ register in the interim.

April 2016

Jailed for ‘callous and shameful abuse’

A 61-year-old man who sexually abused two girls four decades ago has been jailed for five years.

Kevin Doherty, of Main Street, Eglinton, was also ordered to spend two years on probation following his release from prison.

He will also be subject to a sexual offences prevention order for an indefinite period.

The 61-year-old pleaded guilty to six charges of indecent assault and four charges of gross indecency.

The offences were committed between 1973 and 1981.

Doherty was 18-years-old when the abuse began and his victims were aged six and sixteen.

Derry Crown Court heard he abused the youngest victim over a prolonged period of time.

Doherty would give her sweets and tell her to say nothing.

The abuse came to light after a meeting in a local parochial house in August 2013.

It was attended by the defendant, one of the victims and a local priest.

After the meeting the woman went to police and was accompanied by a member of the Derry Diocesan Safeguarding Team.

Passing sentence, Judge Philip Babington said the two victims were subjected to ‘callous and shameful abuse’ by Doherty.

He said the five year jail sentence was both ‘necessary and appropriate’.

The judge accepted the 61-year-old deserved ‘some credit for his guilty plea thereby saving the victims the ordeal of giving evidence’.

Speaking after their abuser was jailed, the victims said the five year sentence had given them back ‘self respect and self esteem’.

They thanked the judge for his sentencing comments which were ‘aimed at protecting children from the type of sexual abuse we endured’.

The women also encouraged other victims of sexual abuse to report it.

April 2016

Boys’ boarding school Teacher had sex with pupils 

April 2016

Army cadet staff sergeant abused vulnerable schoolgirls

AN ARMY cadet staff sergeant is behind bars after sexually abusing two schoolgirls.

Father-of-three Colin Davies groomed the youngsters before encouraging them to engage in sexual activity with him.

Now the 31-year-old – described by a judge as a ‘predatory sexual beast’ – has been jailed for five years.

Prosecutor Andrew Baker told Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court that one of the defendant’s victims confessed to a friend that she had performed a sex act on him.

Mr Baker said on one occasion Davies took the girl to a tunnel where he encouraged her to perform a sex act on him before he performed a sex act on her.

Davies was arrested and told police: ‘I am a man. I will take my punishment. I will take it on the chin’.

The court heard a second girl came forward and told police the defendant had touched her intimately.

She said the defendant made contact with her on Facebook and they started to message each other. They exchanged naked pictures of themselves to each other.

Mr Baker said: “He continued to ask for indecent pictures and asked her repeatedly to visit him at his home.”

The court heard the girl went to his home and performed a sex act on him. The defendant was re-interviewed.

He admitted contacting the second victim on Facebook and told officers he saw himself having a relationship with her when she was old enough.

Davies, of Westbourne Drive, Tunstall, pleaded guilty to six offences of sexual activity with a child and one offence of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Barry White, mitigating, said the defendant is angry and disappointed with what he has done.

Mr White said: “He realises he has no future outside the prison walls. He realises he has ruined his life and that of his two victims.

“He fully accepts everything he has done. He is remorseful. He can only apologise for his actions.”

Judge David Fletcher made Davies the subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order which prohibits him from befriending any child under 16. He was also placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.

Judge Fletcher said: “This is a very concerning case.

“You recognised the girls you were grooming were young and vulnerable.

“To persuade yourself that what you were doing by sexually abusing and assaulting them was making them happy is an example of warped thinking, the kind of which I have not come across on many occasions.

“They were children. You have left behind two children whose lives have been ruined.

“I have read statements from both of their mothers. They make harrowing reading. They talk about the effects your behaviour has had.

“One mother talks of her daughter’s childhood being ripped away from her.

“That is exactly what happened. It was all for your own selfish sexual gratification.

“It really is one of the worst examples I have seen of this sort of grooming behaviour.

“You clearly are a predatory sexual beast. You are a predator.”

April 2016

Man ‘fuelled grotesque child abuse’

April 2016

Galleywood man caught with almost 10,000 child abuse images spared prison

A Galleywood man who amassed a collection of almost 10,000 child abuse images has been spared jail.

Darren Teader, 35, of, Greenfields, Barnard Road appeared before Judge Anthony Goldstaub QC in Chelmsford Crown Court on Thursday for sentence after pleading guilty on March 2.

When his devices, a Dell computer and two portable hard drives were seized in 2014, police uncovered a stash of indecent images totalling 9,758.

Of them, 9,541 were still photos and 217 were movies, with just over 900 graded as category A, the most serious.

Teader was given a 12-month prison sentence by Judge Goldstaub, suspended for two years.

April 2016

Garndiffaith paedophile pensioner fails in bid for freedom

A TORFAEN pensioner who is serving an eight year prison sentence for a string of sex crimes against children has failed in a Court of Appeal bid for freedom.

Alan Clarke Davies, 72, targeted two young children.

Davies denied any wrongdoing, but was convicted of 11 offences at Cardiff Crown Court in June 2012 and jailed for eight years.

He was back before a court in March after his lawyers launched an appeal bid to clear his name and secure his release.

But after taking a month to consider the case, three top judges today returned and dismissed Davies’ appeal.

Mr Justice Turner said convictions of the pensioner, of Garnteg School Close, Garndiffaith, near Pontypool, were ‘safe’.

“We are satisfied that none of the grounds of appeal relied upon in this appeal reveal these convictions to have been unsafe,” said the judge.

The Court of Appeal heard Davies was a regular drinker, who attacked children when he was under the influence of alcohol.

He touched them in intimate areas, said the appeal judge.

Davies claimed not to remember any of the alleged attacks.

Appealing, his lawyers argued that the jury should have been better directed on how to consider some of the evidence in the case.

The appeal judge, who considered the case with Lord Justice Davis and Mrs Justice Elisabeth Laing, dismissed the complaints and upheld the convictions.

Davies had been found guilty of five counts of gross indecency, four indecent assaults and two attempted sex assaults.