November 2016

Man found with images of naked children despite serving three-years in jail for similar offence

A 62-year-old Gloucester man who served a three-year jail term for distributing child sexual abuse images has avoided jail for a similar offence.

Andrew Aylmer of Pine Way, Abbeydale, pleaded guilty at Gloucester Crown Court to making almost 600 indecent images of children in July, 2014, and distributing images via Skype between the same dates.

The court heard yesterday that on July 18, 2014 police officers visited Aylmer as part of a monitoring process implemented after his first conviction.

One officer asked to examine the computer that was located on the first floor of Aylmer’s home and found images of naked children.

The computer was seized and examined and officers found 100 images of the worst category A, 70 at category B and 410 category C.

Judge Michael Cullum told Aylmer he had one very serious previous conviction in 2011 for a large number of offences relating to the making and distributing of indecent images of children and that he was not long off his licence period before the police found he had been reoffending.

The judge said he was disturbed at what he had read and the words used to like-minded individuals suggested he wanted to physically abuse the children and that this with the images that showed serious abuse to children were of “significant concern.”

“I don’t accept it was idle talk or banter with like-minded individuals. I don’t accept you cannot remember where the memory stick is,” said the judge.

“For your own sexual gratification you have once more watching children be abused and raped. The children you have watched will never have their life mended. You have watched it and you have enjoyed it” he said.

Judge Cullum sentenced Aylmer to 15 months jail suspended for two years as well as a 30 day programme requirement and 24 months supervision. He warned Aylmer he would be subject to rigorous checking.

November 2016

Ex-Leyton Royal British Legion man admits 30 sex attacks on young girls

A former British Legion volunteer has admitted carrying out dozens of sex attacks on young girls over a period of more than 20 years.

Roy Leonard Darvill, 79, of The Crescent, Walthamstow, pleaded guilty to 30 charges of indecent assault at Snaresbrook Crown Court today (Monday, November 14).

Darvill’s string of offences were committed over a 24-year period, beginning in 1974 and being carried out at regular intervals until his final attack in 1998.

One of the girls involved in the case may have been just two years old when she was first attacked. The oldest of his victims was only 15.

The pensioner, who arrived in court riding on a mobility scooter and wearing a remembrance poppy pin, was told he is facing jail despite issues surrounding his age and health.

Judge Sandy Canavan, presiding over the case, told Darvill: “You have pleaded guilty to incredibly serious offences.

“You should be under no illusion whatsoever- you are looking to receive a relatively long custodial sentence.”

Darvill had served as the club secretary of the Royal British Legion’s Leyton branch as recently as 2013.

He has been bailed on the condition he has no contact with his victims until December 14, when he will be sentenced.

November 2016

Woman was sexually abused for years by her babysitter when she was six

A  woman sexually assaulted “hundreds of times” by her babysitter has urged other victims to speak out – and spare themselves years of torment.

Edna was subjected to a seven-year campaign of abuse by Alexander Graham.

He started targeting her when she was just six and he was supposed to be looking after her.

What began as “playfulness” quickly turned into a traumatic ordeal which ruined Edna’s life.

Sixty-six-year-old Graham is now serving an eight-year jail sentence after being found guilty of preying on her repeatedly.

And she has waived her right to anonymity to urge others who are being abused not to suffer silently.

Edna refused to give evidence from behind a screen during Graham’s trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

She said: “I know a lot of people can’t face their abusers. I had to fight to take it to court after all these years so I had to face him. I couldn’t have hid behind anything.

“I was just so angry. He just stared at me. There was no reaction on his face. I don’t think he wanted to fight it any more.

“That man destroyed my life. It’s like I’ve been living in a bubble. I’ve pushed away so many people that have been close to me. All I want to do now is say sorry to them. I didn’t believe I could be loved.

“I just broke down at the verdict. Every time they said ‘guilty’ it was like the demons were coming out of me.

“It was because I was finally believed – that’s all I ever wanted.”

A jury convicted Graham, of North Grampian Circle, Aberdeen, of four charges involving Miss Booth, including forcing her to commit sexual acts and exposing himself to her on various occasions between 1970 and 1977.

Graham was a family friend and Edna was sent to the neighbour’s house in Aberdeen to be looked after.

But her babysitter soon became her abuser.

She said: “I was just a little girl. I didn’t know what was going on. We would be just playing around in the bed and that’s how it started.

“I just thought it was a normal thing to happen. I didn’t realise it didn’t happen to other people.

“You can imagine the burden of living with this for so long. It’s just sickening.”

Edna moved away from Aberdeen and started trying to rebuild her life in Manchester.

But her recovery was blighted by violent partners.

She moved again about a year ago and now believes she is getting stronger after facing her demons.

But she believes others could be saved years of torment if they are encouraged to speak up sooner.

Edna said: “The trial was closure for me. I don’t feel strong yet but I know I’m going to get there.

“I’ve spoken to lots of women who have gone through the same thing but they’re scared. They’re scared they won’t be believed.

“The biggest problem is that abuse happens one-to-one.

“Only the victim knows about it – but if more people speak up then there can be patterns built up and it can get taken to court.

“I know it’s difficult, it’s not the kind of thing you can bring up in conversation, but it’s the only way to make these people face justice.”

November 2016

Toddler suffered 31 separate injuries in care of thug couple – but both walked free because it can’t be proved who inflicted them

A toddler suffered 31 injuries while being looked after by these two – but both have walked free because it can’t be proved who inflicted them.

The two-year-old was left with an appalling list of injuries to their tiny body but Ross Walmsley and Demi Gray both denied responsibility.

A court heard the toddler had two fractures to the hand and bruising and marks to the head, arms, trunk, buttocks and legs.

Both Walmsley and Gray pleaded guilty to child cruelty but on the basis they did not harm the youngster.

Now Walmsley, 21, of Heworth Road, Concord, Washington , and Gray, 20, of Coach Road Estate, Washington, have walked free from court on suspended prison sentences.

Recorder Euan Duff, at Newcastle Crown Court , said: “The Crown accept and I am bound to sentence you on the basis neither of you has been proved to have caused those injuries.

“How anyone can treat a child of two in that way or allow a child to be treated in that way by someone else is quite beyond those of us who care for children.”

The court heard the toddler’s injuries were discovered when they were taken to the emergency care centre in Washington.

Prosecutor Julie Clemitson told the court: “They each submitted a basis of plea saying they were not responsible for the injuries.

“The Crown cannot say who did.”

Miss Clemitson told the court the toddler had obvious multiple injuries, including severe bruising to the face, when they were taken for treatment.

It was claimed the toddler had fallen but investigations by medics concluded the injuries were unlikely to be accidental.

In his basis of plea, Walmsley admitted “rough and abusive treatment” of the child.

Walmsley was sentenced to 21 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, with rehabilitation requirements and 200 hours unpaid work.

Gray got 12 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, with rehabilitation requirements and 150 hours unpaid work.

Annelise Haugstad, defending Walmsley, said he is an “immature man” who has since sought professional help for his problems.

In her basis of plea, Gray admitted failing to protect the child from ill treatment.

November 2016

Paedophile jailed for grooming and sexually abusing young girl

A predatory paedophile that groomed and then repeatedly sexually abused a 12-year-old schoolgirl has been jailed.

Unemployed Mark Anthony Bruce (44) of Sittingbourne, Kent was previously found guilty on the 29th July at Lewes Crown Court of six charges of sexual activity with a child who was aged under 13 years old.

Hove Crown court heard that Bruce groomed and then sexually abused the schoolgirl multiple times over a 15 month period between 2013 and 2014.

The offences took place in a number of areas within East Sussex and Kent which include Uckfield, Eastbourne and Piltdown.

Bruce showed no reaction or remorse as the judge sentenced him to six years imprisonment.

An indefinite sexual harm prevention order was made and Bruce was told he must register as a sex offender for life.

November 2016

Paedophile avoids prison

A GRANDFATHER who downloaded hundreds of indecent images of children as well as extreme porn photos and movies has avoided an immediate jail sentence.

Harold Smith, 49, was caught with the illegal material on his phone and computer hard drive after his name was linked to another offender, Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday.

Prosecutor Simon Waley said officers executed a search warrant earlier this year and seized the equipment after Smith’s name appeared on a Skype chat log during which paedophilic images were discussed.

The court heard that Smith’s phone contained nearly 100 indecent images of children and more than 700 were later found on his computer.

Mr Waley said the images involved female children aged between seven and 13 and the extreme pornographic images and movies, which totaled more than 600, concerned acts of bestiality.

“On examination of the computer evidence was founded a category ‘C’ image being shared, hence the distribution count at count 11,” said Mr Waley.

Unemployed Smith, of Braithwaite Walk, Keighley, pleaded guilty at an earlier crown court hearing to possessing indecent images of children, possessing extreme pornographic images and distribution of an indecent image of a child.

Mr Waley said most of the images were downloaded by Smith between 2013 and 2016 and there were discussions on chat logs which demonstrated a sexual interest in children.

Married Smith initially denied responsibility for the images when he was interviewed by police, but his solicitor advocate Andrew Walker said the defendant had pleaded guilty to the charges at the first opportunity before the crown court.

Mr Walker said Smith had lost his job over the offences but he still retained the support of his family.

“Here is a man who is genuinely remorseful for his actions and is actively seeking the assistance of professionals to help him,” submitted Mr Walker.

“He is genuinely wishing to seek professional help through the auspices of the probation services to ensure that this type of behaviour is not repeated again in the future.”

The court heard that Smith had no previous convictions for similar offending and Mr Walker argued that his client could still turn his life around.

Judge David Hatton QC said he could suspend Smith’s 14-month jail term for two years, but he also ordered him to do 120 hours unpaid work for the community and comply with a 50-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

“It is not always appreciated that offences of this nature have victims,” the judge told Smith.

“Those victims are the very children who are used and abused for the purpose of providing some sort of stimulation to those who view them.

“From what I have read and heard I have some belief that you appreciate that, certainly now, if you didn’t before and having, as you do, grandchildren that’s something you should apply your mind to.

“You are seemingly remorseful and I suspect acutely embarrassed at the conduct which has given rise to these proceedings.”

Judge Hatton said Smith had made efforts to address the “vile interest” that he had when he accessed the material.

Smith must now register as a sex offender with the police for the next ten years and Judge Hatton also imposed a ten-year sexual harm prevention order which restricts his contact with any children in the future.

November 2016

Pervert jailed for sexually assaulting a girl under the age of 13

A man has been jailed for five years after being found guilty of four charges of child sex offences.

Barry Grant, 65, of Stunts Green, Herstmonceux, was found guilty of sexually assaulting a girl under the age of 13, causing a girl under 13 to watch a sexual act, causing a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity and engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a girl aged under 13 in Eastbourne between January 23 2010 and January 24 2014.

The builder denied the charges but was found guilty by jury at a trial at Lewes Crown Court in August.

November 2016

Sex offender jailed for sexually abusing eight year old girl

A PAEDOPHILE has been sentenced to six years in prison for sexually abusing an eight-year-old girl.

Aidan Smith, 20, from Bideford Green, Leighton Buzzard, was imprisoned at St Albans Crown Court on Wednesday (November 9) after being found guilty of six counts of child sexual abuse.

During a trial in October the jury heard how Smith abused the girl on several occasions during 2011 and 2012.

Detective Constable Nadia Hussein, who investigated the case, said: “No length of time behind bars can never make up for the trauma that Smith inflicted on his victim, but I hope that seeing Smith found guilty and punished will assist with helping her to move on from this horrific experience.

“I also hope this reassures other victims of sexual abuse that if they come forward we will listen to them, we will believe them, and justice can be done.”

November 2016

Monster jailed for 21 years at Bradford Crown Court for repeated rape of young girls

A DEPRAVED sexual predator has been jailed for 21 years for a vile campaign of rape against two young girls.

Anthony Pattison, 39, bullied, bribed and corrupted the children, making them strip off their clothes before repeatedly violating them.

Pattison, of Barden Avenue, Buttershaw, Bradford, put his head in his hands and wept in the dock at Bradford Crown Court when he was sentenced yesterday.

Judge Peter Hunt labelled him an Offender of Particular Concern who may have to serve the full sentence behind bars. He cannot be freed before the half-way point and until the Parole Board approves his release.

Pattison was convicted by a jury by 10-2 majority verdicts of all 16 offences alleged against him.They included 12 counts of rape, two charges of sexual assault and two of engaging in sexual activity in front of a child.

Pattison’s solicitor advocate, Andrew Walker, said his mother was gravely ill and may not see him out in the community again.

During the trial, prosecutor Soheil Khan said Pattison began raping his first victim when she was seven or eight years old.

During one of the assaults he put his hand over her nose and mouth to stifle her cries. The girl, now in her mid-teens told how she cried and gasped for breath.

She was abused on numerous occasions at addresses in the Shipley and Little Horton areas.

On one occasion, Pattison raped her in a locked room and, on another, he slapped her across the face when she struggled, leaving a visible hand print.

The girl said: “My face was sore, so I had my hand on my face, and he shouted at me again. I was still crying.”

She went to bed at night not wanting to wake up, after crying herself to sleep.

Pattison’s second victim, a younger girl, said she screamed in pain while being abused. He bribed her with money not to say anything

She confided in a classmate at school what Pattison had done to her and a teacher was alerted.

Judge Hunt said Pattison was guilty of “gross sexual misbehaviour” against the first girl, starting when she was seven or eight and continuing over five years.

“She was coerced and bullied into complying with your depraved sexual demands,” he said.

Pattison’s behaviour was “predatory and corrupt.”

He had bribed the girl with money and physically assaulted her, slapping her hard across the face when she struggled.

Pattison’s second victim was particularly vulnerable and struggling emotionally. The abuse began when she was eight years old and lasted several months.

“You callously made her the object of your sexual gratification,” Judge Hunt told Pattison.

He had used perverted foul and vile language while raping her.

“You said you wanted her, at the age of ten or 11, to conceive your child,” the judge said.

Pattison was guilty of “a campaign of rape” that would live with both girls forever.

The judge made a Sexual Harm Prevention Order without limit of time.

November 2016

Nottingham dad jailed for killing baby son

A father who was convicted of killing his nine-week-old baby son has been jailed for 12 years.

Eden Robinson’s body was found in the bedroom of Easton Robinson’s flat in Nottingham on 8 November 2014.

Nottingham Crown Court heard Eden’s body showed 23 injuries including brain damage, but Robinson said the child had suffered some kind of fit.

Robinson, of Wasnidge Walk, St Ann’s, was found not guilty of murder but convicted of manslaughter on Thursday.

More on this story and other news in Nottinghamshire

During Robinson’s trial, the jury was told paramedics were called to the flat but found Eden unresponsive.

His heart was restarted in hospital but his injuries were found to be too severe and his life support was switched off three days later.

A post-mortem examination found the cause of Eden’s death was a head injury which had been deliberately inflicted.

Investigations also revealed that the fatal assault was part of a wider pattern of abuse, with a number of broken bones sustained in the weeks before his death.

Examinations showed bleeding on the baby’s brain consistent with a traumatic head injury, which experts say was from a result of shaking

Eden’s mother, Clare Mellors, said in a victim impact statement she watched Eden “pass away” in her arms.

She said she felt “physically sick” that she was “fooled” by Robinson and despised him for taking away her baby.

Sentencing him, Mrs Justice Cox said: “Eden was deliberately and violently shaken by you in anger.

“There was, in this case, a gross breach of trust, the baby was totally dependent on you. You have denied any involvement in Eden’s death from the very beginning.

“There is only one person responsible for Eden’s death and that is you.”

Det Ch Insp Hayley Williams, from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, said Eden’s death was a “tragedy”.

She said: “Some of the evidence from the doctor said the amount of force used to cause Eden’s horrific injuries was so severe it would only be seen in accidental settings, such as a car crash, fall down a flight of stairs or a crush injury.”

November 2016

Re-offending paedophile avoids prison again

A paedophile who was caught with indecent images of children has now been caught grooming schoolgirls online.

In August, Kevan Christopher Rose (29) of Clent Avenue, Kidderminster appeared in court and pleaded guilty to possession of indecent images of children. On this occasion he  avoided a prison sentence and was instead fined.

However, when police checked his computer a few weeks later, they discovered he had deleted the browsing history. However the police examined the computer and discovered Rose had been grooming schoolgirls online.

The court was told that Rose who works as a sales assistant in Lidl in Stourport had contacted a number of underage girls in a sexual manner. He progressed to asking them for indecent images of themselves.

It was also revealed that Rose had contacted a number of other paedophile’s online, in a bid to exchange photos and fantasies involving child sexual abuse

Rose pleaded guilty to all of the above and was sentenced to a community order which would last until 2019. 

He was made subject to the notification requirements for registered sex offenders and told he must complete a rehabilitation course to address his offending

November 2016

Paedophile who posed as 14-year-old on websites is jailed

A PAEDOPHILE who targeted children online all over the UK is behind bars after pleading guilty to a catalogue of sexual offences.

Graeme Couper, 45, posed as a 14-year-old on a website and asked a 12-year-old girl to perform a sex act on her webcam for him.

He spoke to other victims – all between 12 and 15-years-old – on Skype and in some instances a mobile phone.

Couper invited the girls to perform on webcams for him and on occasion exposed himself to them.

One girl later told police that she needed counselling and suffers from anxiety and depression and “is very wary of trusting people”.

The offences were carried out between November 2011 and June 2015.

Procurator fiscal depute Niall Macdonald told the court: “All of the offences were committed by Couper from his home in Glasgow.

“Of these 20 charges, four charges were committed against three younger children who had not attained the age of 13.

“Couper has also committed the offence of possessing indecent images of children.”

The court heard the charges involve 14 different female victims from different parts of the UK.

He started talking to the youngsters on Skype and continued to talk to them on that either in writing or live video camera.

Sheriff John McCormick told Couper: “This is a case involving a catalogue of sexual offences against children spread throughout the United Kingdom over a number of years.

“It’s unlikely that there will be any alternative standing the gravity of these offences to a custodial sentence.”

November 2016

Brave victims praised for courage throughout distressing case

A MANIPULATIVE sexual predator who abused the ‘most vulnerable in society’ including a 2-year-old girl during his 18 years of terror has been caged for life for his horrific offending.

Rapist Daniel Kilbee has been warned he will spend at least 10 years behind bars for preying on his six victims and exploiting them to satisfy his sexual pleasures.

The dangerous paedophile’s ‘disgraceful’ behaviour included targeting a helpless two-year-old girl and filming himself assaulting her while they were alone.

Kilbee’s offending has been branded one of the worst cases Thames Valley Police has dealt with by officer in the case DC Tania Wasilewski-Norman, of the forces’ child abuse investigation unit.

The officer revealed she was relieved the prolific offender was finally off the streets but feared more of Kilbee’s victims were still suffering in silence across the county.

She added: “I think its’s horrific. What he did was probably one of the worst cases I have seen in regards to how he targeted people – people that trusted him and were vulnerable.

“Victims can move on but unfortunately the scars that he has left will always be with them and that’s the impact that he has had on them. He has caused them pain that they will never get over but sentencing and seeing him go to prison will assist with that.”

In a statement read to Oxford Crown Court, one victim described her struggle escaping the memories of the traumatic ordeal, claiming Kilbee told her he was ‘sick in the head’.

She continued: “I could not stop the thoughts going around in my head. I felt that I was being punished for something Daniel had done. I felt it was my fault. Every time I relay this story, it hurts me, it never gets easier.”

Jailing Kilbee, who was sentenced for the 30 sex offences between May 1997 and February 2015, Judge Ian Pringle QC slammed him for claiming he raped the two-year-old as a ‘one off’.

Officers uncovered Kilbee’s reign of terror after a tip-off led police to search the sex offender’s home for indecent images of children last year.

Kilbee, formerly of Bradstocks Way, Sutton Courtenay, was caught with 35 indecent videos and 204 indecent images of the two-year-old, as well as 125 indecent videos and 460 indecent images of ‘unidentified’ children.

During the five-day trial in July, the paedophile was branded a ‘monster’ by one of his victims, who revealed she came forward after spotting an article in the Abingdon Herald when Kilbee was charged.

She described to jurors how Kilbee scrambled through her bedroom window after asking her to keep it open before raping her while the ‘naive’ teenager pretended to be asleep.

Kilbee was convicted of one count of indecent assault, one count of sexual intercourse with a girl under 13 and two counts of indecency with a child after pleading not guilty.

He admitted one count of indecency with a child, one count of indecent assault, five counts of rape, four counts of sexual assault, two counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity and one count of attempted rape.

The defendant also admitted 12 counts of making indecent photographs of a child.

Jurors were unable to reach a verdict on one count of voyeurism, while four further counts of rape and another two counts of sexual assault were ordered to lie on file.

November 2016

Man who groomed girl jailed for five years

November 2016

Former Watford teacher jailed for sexually abusing three pupils

A pervert former teacher who was jailed for sexually abusing three pupils deserves every day of his six-year jail sentence, top judges have said.

Terence Peter Back, 72, was accused of attacks while working at Kingsway Junior School, in Watford, and Whitehall Junior School, in Uxbridge.

The pensioner, of Rookhurst Road, Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, denied any wrongdoing, but was found guilty by a jury at Isleworth Crown Court.

November 2016

Sex offender ‘broke ban by leaving cigarettes for girl’

A convicted sex offender allegedly tried to get cigarettes and a book to his teenage victim within weeks of being banned from any contact, the High Court has heard.

Nathan McFarlane took the package to a mental health unit where the girl was staying in Belfast after claiming to be her uncle, prosecutors said.

He also attempted to contact one of her relatives on Facebook in a bid to give her tickets for a music concert in the city, it was claimed.

McFarlane (24), of New Lodge Road in Belfast, faces two counts of breaching a sexual offences prevention order (SOPO).

The SOPO was imposed on McFarlane on September 30 after he was convicted of 16 counts of sexual offences against a child under 16.

It includes a prohibition on contacting the girl or her family until 2021.

But prosecution counsel alleged that McFarlane phoned the unit on October 24 to ask if he could bring her some tobacco and a book.

He claimed to be her uncle, using a false name related to the girl’s favourite song, the court heard.

Two days later, according to the prosecutor, McFarlane arrived and left the package containing cigarettes and a novel said to be her favourite book.

A social worker also told police the accused used social media to tell the girl’s relative that he wanted to give her tickets for a Bastille concert.

McFarlane’s phone has been seized, with PSNI officers also analysing the teenager’s phone for any communication.

Opposing bail, the prosecution lawyer described the girl as vulnerable and claimed she would be at risk if the defendant was released.

McFarlane’s barrister said he had arguably not breached the SOPO by phoning the unit and leaving the package.

“These goods were not accompanied by any note, there’s no transcription in the book,” he told the court.

It was also contended that the girl had made contact with the accused as part of an “engrained” relationship.

Denying bail, however, Mrs Justice Keegan said: “The imposition of a SOPO is obviously significant – it’s important that people are protected in the community.”

November 2016

Man who has been accessing child abuse images since the age of 12 walks from court

A man who downloaded pictures and movies of child abuse has walked free from court.

Callum MacHardie stored and saved some of the vile material after searching for it online, a court heard.

But after being told the 26-year-old was suitable for a three year treatment programme a judge imposed a community order.

Mike Blitz, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court how police went to his home in March, seized his computers and arrested MacHardie.

When he was first questioned he said he had never seen any images of child abuse online and nothing would be found on his computer.

But when the machines and storage media were sent for analysis a number of movies, many at the worst level, were found.

“They were stored in a file named ‘one’ and there was evidence that that laptop had been used to search for indecent images of children,” he said.

A second computer was found to have similar search terms used on it and other movies were found to have been deleted.

On two further machines, although no images were found, a similar array of search terms had been used on them.

When he was questioned for a second time he accepted that the computer were all his and used by him but otherwise refused to answer questions.

MacHardie, of Arley Close, Abbey Meads, pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of a child.

The probation service has said he is suitable for a treatment programme which is the best way of tackling any future risk of offending.

As a result of his arrest she said he had been forced to defer starting a degree course in anthropology at Durham University.

Passing sentence Judge Tim Mousley QC said “You are 26 now and have no previous convictions.

“Importantly you have insight into how looking at this material, such as you did, can create victims and every youngster who appears in these images is a the victim of a sexual offence.

“I also take into account what is said about your mental health issues and you are also someone who seems to have some potential as far as university is concerned.”

He imposed a three year community order with the Internet Sex Offenders Treatment Programme and 30 days of rehabilitation activity requirement.

The judge also imposed a sexual harm prevention order for five years restricting his use of the internet.

November 2016

Colchester man avoids jail at Ipswich Crown Court over ‘lack of prison officers’

A 70-year-old man who has been warned he is facing a jail term for sex offences relating to children has had his sentencing hearing adjourned because of industrial action by prison guards.

Brian Lewis, of Forest Road, Colchester, was due to be sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court yesterday afternoon, but was told the hearing could not go ahead because of the unavailability of prison transport and reception facilities for new prisoners.

Judge David Goodin adjourned the case until next week and 
apologised to Lewis for the delay.

He described the offences Lewis had admitted as “serious” and told him he should expect a prison sentence.

He said there was an option for prisoners to be accommodated at police investigation centres overnight because of the industrial action, but he did not think it was appropriate in this particular case for a number of reasons, including Lewis’s age.

Lewis has admitted two offences of making indecent images of children in May 2015 and eight offences of arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence between March 3 and March 19 last year.

The indecent images, which were found on a laptop computer, include 48 in the most serious level A category, 19 at level B and 92 in the lowest C category.

November 2016

‘No, I’m a virgin’ – pensioner asked girl, 13, if he could place his hand down her knickers

A PENSIONER persuaded a 13-year-old girl to return to his flat before making an indecent suggestion in his front room, a court heard.

Seventy-two-year-old Dennis Keane’s contact with the youngster had started off with an innocent conversation about his chihuahua, Burnley Crown Court was told.

She had stopped to sit on a park bench in Barrowford, on her way home, and Keane joined her with his dog.

Prosecutor Peter Barr said Keane then told the girl that he liked her trainers and she returned the compliment.

The girl later told police she may have been trusting but she said she agreed to go back to the OAP’s flat nearby. He asked her if she had a boyfriend and she told him she didn’t.

The court heard Keane then told the girl he had a partner, whom ‘he only saw for sex’.

Once inside the pensioner’s home, in Maud Street, he offered to make her a cup of tea. He sat next to her on a settee and placed his hand on her knee, the court heard.

Mr Barr said he asked whether he could place his hand down her knickers.

“She said ‘no’, I’m 13, I’m a virgin,” Mr Barr added.

Keane asked again and she repeated her refusal before getting up to leave, the court heard.

The incident was reported to the police and the pensioner was later arrested at his home.

He told police he remembered the girl but insisted he had returned home with his dog before she came to call on him.

Keane initially denied having any sexual contact with the girl or making any indecent remarks.

But at a crown court plea hearing he admitted sexual assault and inciting an under-age girl to become involved in sexual activity.

Andrew Nuttall, defending, said his client had daughters and grand-daughters of his own and was clearly ashamed of what he had done.

Keane had been divorced for 20 years now and would confess that he had allowed his life to deteriorate. The offences may have been caused by his loneliness in recent times.

“It is a sad case in that respect,” said Mr Nuttall.

Keane was given a 12-month community order, with 20 days of rehabilitation activities arranged by the probation service.

Judge Jonathan Gibson also issued a five-year sexual harm prevention harm order, limiting his day-to-day contact with females aged under 16, and told he must sign the sex offenders’ register for the same period.

Passing sentence, Judge Gibson said: “One never knows in a case like this what kind of psychological harm the suggestion you made could have on a young girl like this.”

November 2016

Police found child abuse images after Inverness man crashed his car

An Inverness man’s road crash landed him in court – for possessing child porn.

At Inverness Sheriff Court yesterday, Sheriff Margaret Neilson heard that police were called to a single vehicle collision near Loch Ruthven on December 28, 2014.

They found Richard Purdie alone in the vehicle.

Fiscal depute Michelle Molley said Purdie admitted to officers that he had accessed “bad thing” things on his computer and made a reference to “paedophiles should be shot”.

Police went to his home in Glenshiel Place and seized a laptop computer and portable hard drive.

They were forensically examined and 50 images of female teenage and younger children were found on the laptop.

Another 20 indecent images were also recovered on the hard drive.

First offender Purdie admitted downloading them between July 25, 2009 and December 28, 2014.

Defence agent Willie Young said he would address the Sheriff in mitigation when his client re-appeared for sentence on December 12, after a background report had been prepared.

Purdie was placed on the Sex Offenders Register.