February 2014

Chester-le-Street pensioner jailed for historic sexual abuse in North Tyneside

A pensioner of 74 has been jailed for nine years for sexually abusing a boy more than 40 years ago.

George Young appeared at Newcastle Crown Court charged with around 15 offences.

The incidents took place in the North Tyneside area between 1970 and 1976, and involved a boy who was abused.

Young, of Maplewood, in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, pleaded guilty to the charges at court.

Prosecutor James Adkin said that Young would give the youngster sweets and money to stop him from telling anyone about the abuse.

He said: “The victim was discouraged from reporting it. He was given sweets and told not to tell anyone. As the boy grew older, he gave money as a bribe.”

The victim, whose life was severely affected by the offending and still receives treatment from psychologists, found the courage to finally report the abuse in December 2012.

In a personal statement to the court, he said: “I was abused both physically and mentally from the age of eight to 15.

“It made it impossible for me to concentrate in school. At the age of 16, I was drinking more and more. I was constantly getting drunk to hide my fears and insecurities.” Defending, Julian Smith said Young had no memory of the incidents but he accepted responsibility.

He added: “He maintains his assertion that he has no memory of these events but he does not challenge the case that has been put here.

“He acknowledges these matters must be truthful.”

He said Young suffered from angina and mental health problems, and one of his arms was profoundly disabled after it was almost amputated in an accident.

He added: “His physical and mental frailty are becoming acute.”

Judge Brian Forster sentenced Young to nine years in prison and made an order adding him to the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.

Passing sentence, Judge Forster told him: “At the age of 74, you have to be sentenced for very serious offences. .

“These offences were committed in the past against a boy who was aged between eight and 15.

“You took almost every opportunity you could to engage in some form of sexual misconduct with that boy. It has taken him many years to have the strength to be able to come forward and speak about what happened to him during the 1970s.

“I publicly thank him for coming forward in that way to speak of what happened to him.

“It’s clear from his statement that your activities have marred his life.

“He has struggled to live and to deal with what you did.”

August 2001

Ulster sex perv linked to Euro paedophile ring

A SICK child sex pervert who is being hunted by Ulster cops has linked up with paedophiles in Europe, Sunday People can reveal. 

Sion Mills sex abuser Wesley Scott, who has a string of convictions, fled Northern Ireland on his release from jail earlier this year without signing the sex offenders register. 

It is a criminal offence for people found guilty on sex charges not to register their personal details with the authorities. 

Sunday People has learned that the 53-year-old bachelor is openly living in Holland with his male partner. 

Scott who was a member of a world-wide porn club which operated out of Amsterdam, did a runner days after winning his freedom. 

He had been serving time for possessing thousands of sickening photographs of children being sexually abused. 

Amsterdam has a long history of being regarded as a safe haven for exiled British paedophiles. 

The child predators are involved in trafficking of boys, gay brothels and selling children for pornography. 

An international paedophile ring set up in Amsterdam in the late 1980s by British child abusers is still operating today. 

Their trade is so widespread that Dutch police have set up a specialist paedophilia detective unit. 

Scott has previous convictions for attempted buggery, gross indecency and inciting a child to commit an act of gross indecency. 

Scott’s Sion Mills home was targeted on a number of occasions, and he received death threats. 

One local said: “He was not wanted in the village at all. People are glad to see the back of him. 

“It’s reckoned that he’s back with the porn cronies he was involved with before his arrest. 

“People are concerned that police will find it difficult to keep tabs on his movements because he did not sign the sex offenders register.” 

A police spokesman said: “Wesley Scott was released from jail and was supposed to sign the sex offenders register but he did not do so. 

“Our information is that he went to Holland with his boyfriend. He has not been seen since. 

“As he is outside the jurisdiction there is nothing more we can do to make him register. 

“The Probation Service has issued a warrant for his arrest.” 

The Probation Service said it could not comment on individual cases. 

November 2000

Paedophile jailed for internet child abuse images

A 53-YEAR-OLD man was jailed for yesterday for his role in a worldwide child abuse images ring.

Wesley David Scott, of Main Street, Strabane, Co Tyrone, was sentenced to nine months for making and distributing indecent photographs of children between May 1998 and November 1998.

Prosecuting counsel Mr Philip Mateer told the court that the offences, involving around 8,000 photographs, were discovered during a police probe in New Zealand.

The investigation spread to Manchester, where police contacted the RUC when they discovered the photographs were originating from Scott.

A warrant was issued to search Scott’s bedroom where police seized computer equipment, video tapes and pornographic magazines, the court heard.

E-mails stored on Scott’s computer discussed photographs which he had electronically swapped with other members of a child porn ring in New Zealand and the US, Mr Mateer said. 

Scott has previous convictions dating from 1982 for inciting a child to commit an act of gross indecency, and from 1988 for attempted buggery and gross indecency, the court heard. 

Judge Geoffrey Foote told Scott that within 14 days of his release from jail, he would have to register his details with the RUC.

September 2002

Fury as sex beast spared jail

A CONVICTED sex beast who molested a teenage girl as she had an epileptic fit walked free from court yesterday. 

Perverted cabbie William Brierley, 39, sexually assaulted the 15-year-old after going to her home to pick her up for a doctor’s appointment. The child only told her mum when the sick fiend attacked her again two weeks’ later. 

But Brierley, who was already on probation for a string of sex offences against young women, was spared jail at Cupar Sheriff Court. Sheriff George Evans said the pervert had made “good progress on a rehabilitation programme for sex offenders”. 

The victim’s mum, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said: “I’m disgusted by this pathetic decision. He was playing a game with the sheriff by agreeing to go for counselling. It’s all a farce. He’s got off with it and he’ll do it again to other women.” 

Brierley, of Tayport, Fife, pleaded guilty to two sex attacks on the girl and was given two years’ probation and placed on the sex offenders’ register. 

August 2012

Victim’s family speak of their relief after fugitive Hainault rapist is caught

The family of a rape victim have spoken of their relief after the man convicted of the crime was caught weeks after escaping from a secure mental unit.

December 2009

‘Unstable’ detainee flees Stratford Shopping Centre

A man who may pose a risk to children has gone missing from a secure mental health unit while on a supervised trip to an east London shopping centre.

Shane Hart, 49, was taken to Stratford Shopping Centre on Monday and his supervisor realised he was missing at about 1730 GMT.

Mr Hart has been detained since 1994 for taking a child without permission and false imprisonment, police said.

They added that he was unstable and warned the public not to approach him.

Police believe the man, who is also known as Stephen Hart, may still be in the east London area.

He is described as white with short dark hair and pock-marked skin. In the past he has pretended to be a police officer.

Mr Hart was wearing a dark green shirt with a blue tie, blue jeans and a black ski jacket.

He was due to return to the John Howard Centre mental health unit in Homerton.

A spokesman for East London NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the unit, said an inquiry into the incident has been launched.

He said: “Patients may be allowed periods of time outside the unit, as part of an individual’s rehabilitation and planned treatment programme.

“This only happens after a risk assessment has taken place, which is regularly reviewed.”

February 2014

Man sentenced for the indecent assault of two girls in the 1990s

Paul Ward (born 22/01/1964) from Sale has today, Monday 24 February 2014 been sentenced at Manchester Crown Court Crown Square to four years in prison.

He has also been ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life.

Ward pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault at an earlier hearing.

Between 1994 and 1996 Ward sexually abused two girls, who were under the age of six in Old Trafford.

Here is an extract from one of Ward’s victim impact statement: “The consistent sexual abuse made me feel powerless, worthless and confused. I felt alone and minutes felt like hours. After he had performed his sickening acts on me it would leave me feeling sore, confused and all I used to think is: Why? Why was he hurting me? What have I ever done to him?

“This has impacted on how I perceive life. I felt like everyone was against me. I grew up not knowing where he was, I was scared but soon that fear turned to anger. I was confused and alone, I had to grow up fast.

“At twelve years old I started taking drugs and found myself in situations, with grown men, that I had no control over. In my mind that is all I knew, was this normal?? Was this love?? I felt alone and I didn’t have trust for social workers and authority figures as nobody believed me.

“My life ever since he abused me has been nothing but pain. But the biggest thing this man has taken from me is my ability to parent my children, due to my mental health I now suffer from because of the abuse.

“I have Bi-Polar Disorder, depression and anxiety. It kills me inside that I can’t hold my children and have a family.

“It feels like everything has been taken from me because of this man’s disgusting actions. He has lived a free life while for the past seventeen years I have suffered in silence and when I tried to talk about the abuse it was dismissed.

“The abuse ended in 1996 but for me it will never mentally leave me. I don’t wish him any pain or hate but I ask that you show him the same mercy he showed me; and give him the maximum sentence for these sickening, calculated acts.”

Detective Constable Nicola Graham from Trafford division, said: “Ward’s abuse of these young girls is difficult for most people to comprehend.  He subjected his victims to sustained sexual assaults over two years.

“Both girls have been incredibly brave by helping us put Ward before the courts and have justice done for them.

“He is now where he belongs and thankfully will not be able to harm anyone else.

“We take all reports of sexual abuse seriously, no matter how old you are or how long ago the crime happened and this should give others the confidence to come forward.”

Anyone who has been a victim of rape or sexual assault can contact Greater Manchester Police on 101 or 999 in an emergency. GMP has specially trained officers in place to provide a first class response to victims and help support them through the criminal justice process.

St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Manchester, can also be contacted on 0161 276 6515. This provides a comprehensive and coordinated forensic, counselling and medical aftercare service to anyone in Greater Manchester who has experienced rape or sexual assault. Services are available on a 24-hour basis and people can access them either as a self-referral or via Greater Manchester Police.

February 2014

Paedophile priest admits abusing children in East Midlands

An 85-year-old Catholic priest has pleaded guilty to a series of child-related sex offences after being extradited from Tenerife.

In a hearing at Derby Crown Court, Francis Paul Cullen admitted 21 counts of indecent assault on seven children.

The abuse of boys and girls aged six to 16 took place from 1957 to 1991.

Cullen, born in Dublin, worked in Scunthorpe, Leicester, Nottingham and Alfreton, Buxton and Mackworth, Derbyshire.

A spokesman for the Diocese of Nottingham said he was pleased Cullen had “taken responsibility for his terrible crimes”.

Cullen was first arrested in Nottingham in 1991, but he skipped bail andfled to Tenerife in Spain where he lived for more than 20 years.

Cullen will be sentenced on 24 March.

Father Andrew Cole, spokesman for the Diocese of Nottingham, said: “I would like to offer our sympathy to those who have been affected by this tragedy in any way and assure them that we will do whatever we can to support them.

“I also wish to thank Cullen’s victims for their bravery in coming forward after many years of silence; it is due to them that Cullen has pleaded guilty.

‘Inconceivable’

“Nothing can take away the horror of what happened to them, but I hope that today’s verdict will help them in some small way to find peace.”

Derbyshire Police urged any other victims who have not yet come forward to contact them.

“Given the length of the offending history of this investigation, which lasted from 1955 to 1991, I believe it is inconceivable that there are not more victims of this man’s crimes,” Det Con Matt Goodwin said.

Cullen worked as a priest at the Mackworth parish of Christ the King in Derbyshire between 1960 and 1978.

He was parish priest in Buxton from 1978-87 and in Hyson Green, Nottingham from 1988-91.

He retired in September 1991.

June 2013

Curry king jailed for sex with schoolgirl

One of Northern Irelands top chefs has been jailed for indecently assaulting a teenage girl who worked at his family’s Indian restaurant.

Shamed Kalam Abdul, 40, who has been hailed by a leading food critic as “Ireland’s most talented curry chef”, was caged for 16 months for nine cases of indecent assault which took place when Abdul was 24 and his victim just 14.

Appearing at Downpatrick Crown Court last Monday, Abdul, who has an address at East Street Court in Newtownards and who was named as part owner of the Ganges restaurant in Holywood Co Down, pleaded guilty to the assaults which occurred between July 1997 and July 1999.

Smartly dressed Abdul, who is a qualified crisis counsellor and worked for a suicide helpline, sat with his head bowed in the dock during proceedings.

Abdul was ordered to sign the sign the sex offenders register for 10 years. He was also ordered to complete a three probation period after his release.

Abdul has been banned from working with children indefinitely

March 2012

Pervert plied girl with gifts in return for sick sex acts

A PAEDOPHILE has started a six-year jail sentence for repeatedly abusing a young girl over a four-year period.

Pervert Steven Nichol, 53, bribed the girl, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, with treats in return for performing sick sex acts on him and blackmailed her into keeping quiet about the abuse she suffered at his hands.

Nichol, of Challoner Gardens, Morpeth, returned to Newcastle Crown Court for sentencing last Friday after being convicted by a jury of four counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, three charges of sexual activity with a child and one count of sexual assault on a child under 13.

Jolyon Perks, prosecuting, read extracts from a victim impact statement given by the girl as she watched from the public gallery.

Mr Perks said: “She feels that what the defendant did to her has greatly affected her childhood. She has a lot of anger.

“She is relieved that the jury believed her because the defendant told her no one would ever believe her.

“She felt blackmailed by him.

“He restricted her life. She couldn’t relax at school. She was controlled throughout the years in question.

“She said it was like living two separate lives, which was very draining.

“She said she wished she was dead and would cry herself to sleep, and her education was disrupted.”

He added: “Since he has been convicted, her anger has gone down.”

Christopher Knox, mitigating for Nichol, said his client deserved credit for being of previous good character.

Jailing him for six years, Judge James Goss told Nichol: “You were convicted of sexual offences which took place between 2006 and 2010.

“Sexual offences began affecting the girl when she was 12.

“She says she agreed to engage in these acts she knew were wrong in return for cigarettes, shoes and clothes.

“You continue to deny your offending, and you have no remorse for your behaviour. I have read the impact your offences have had on your victim.

“Clearly, it had a marked effect upon her childhood and has affected her daily.

“That’s hardly surprising, given the nature of the acts you caused her to engage in.”

Nichol was also ordered to sign on the sex offenders’ register for life and was due back in court this week to be made subject to a sexual offences prevention order.

February 2014

Former teacher jailed for stockpiling child abuse images

A FORMER teacher who downloaded hundreds of indecent images of children has been jailed for 14 months.

Liverpool Crown Court heard how when police raided the home of 61-year-old Dewi Wyn Jones they seized his computer and analysis revealed the disgusting photos, many in the two most serious categories.

Jones gave up teaching after he was convicted and jailed for two and a half years for child sex offences in 1988.

Sentencing him Judge Alan Conrad, QC, said that although he had not re-offended since then until the child abuse offences came to light it was evident his “sexual interest in children” had remained.

He pointed out that the offences involve “real victims” because children are exploited by those who make the images.

Joanne Maxwell, prosecuting, said that that when Jones was interviewed by police he accepted “his curiosity over a three year period” and his “lack of sexual fulfilment which led him to view indecent images of children”.

He claimed invitations to access the images would pop up when he was looking at adult pornography but Miss Maxwell said that there were also links directly accessing the child images.

She added: “He now accepts that he has somewhat of an unhealthy curiosity in looking at indecent images of children.”

The court was told Jones would view the images at his home while his wife and daughter were not in the room.

Jones, of Dunlin Avenue, Newton-le-Willows, pleaded guilty to 12 charges of making indecent images and one of possessing such images.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that a total of 703 images were found in all categories of seriousness including 110 in the two most serious groups.

The offences took place between July 2009 and September 2012.

Tom Watson, defending, said that Jones accepted that the problem which led him into trouble in the 80s has not gone away but he is coming to terms with it.

He has largely been a house husband since losing his teaching career and is the primary carer for his father who is in his 90s.

The judge imposed a five year Sexual Offences Prevention Order restricting his internet use and ordered him to sign the Sex Offenders Register for ten years.

February 2014

Homeless pervert jailed after sleeping with young daughter of good Samaritan who offered him shelter

A homeless man repaid the kindness of a friend who offered him shelter – by sleeping with the man’s teenage daughter.

Sneering pervert Tobias Auffret was caught naked in bed with the under-age girl before boasting: “There is nothing you can do about it.”

But the 31-year-old garden centre worker, of no fixed address, but formerly of Dover but recently living in Folkestone has now been jailed for three years.

Judge James O’Mahony told him he had been callous, adding: “What a dreadful shock it must have been when the father discovered you in his daughter’s bedroom.”

Prosecutor Dominic Connolly told Canterbury Crown Court how Auffret had pleaded guilty to two sample charges of having sexual activity with a child.

The father-of three had lost his home “due to housing difficulties” and had been offered accommodation in Folkestone.

But in June last year, the victim’s father was going up to bed when he noticed his daughter’s bedroom light was on and went inside to turn it off.

“When he went in, he saw his daughter lying on the bed completely naked and also lying on that bed was the defendant,” said Mr Connolly.

The prosecutor said the furious father threw Auffret out of the house and discovered later that his warped lodger had been grooming the schoolgirl for weeks.

She later told police: “I lost my virginity to this guy.”

The victim’s mother confronted Auffret about the allegations in a telephone call and asked him: “What happened last night?”

He started laughing before using an expletive to describe having sex with the girl.

Auffret added: “I have been doing it for weeks while you lot have been in bed asleep. There is nothing you can do about it.”

Auffret, who has had a partner for eight years, claimed he could not remember how many times he had sex with the child.

His barrister Paul Hogben said as a result of the incidents he has now lost his job, his relationship and his family.

“His family now want nothing to do with him, but he did not target the child.

“He is not a sexual predator who targets young children. This came about because of human weakness.”

Judge James O’Mahony told Auffret it had been “an extraordinary breach of trust” and he had “callously laughed” by telling the parents they could do nothing about him having sex with their daughter.

He jailed him and imposed an eight-year sex offences prevention order to keep him away from children.

February 2014

Plymouth man faces jail for underage sex with girl

A MAN who had sex with an underage girl has been told to expect to go to prison for several years.

Daniel Wafer, aged 24, admitted to three counts of sexual activity with a child when he appeared at Plymouth Crown Court.

He pleaded guilty to the offences with a girl aged under 16 between November 2012 and June 2013.

Wafer, of Waterloo Close, Stonehouse, denied common assault of the same youngster in July last year.

The pleas were accepted by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Piers Norsworthy, for Wafer, said: “He is very lightly convicted for unrelated matters. He accepts the inevitable sentence but he would ask for time to get his affairs in order.”

He added that the starting point for the offence was four years in prison – though he will receive a 30 per cent discount for his guilty plea.

Judge Paul Darlow granted Wafer conditional bail until Wednesday March 5. He must not contact the complainant in the meantime.

February 2014

‘SERIOUS SEXUAL OFFENDER’ SEXUALLY ASSAULTED BOY, 12, ON CARLISLE CAR PARK

A man branded a serious sexual offender has been told to expect a prison sentence after he admitted sexually assaulting a 12-year-old boy.

Carlisle Crown Court heard that Darren Goode, 43, followed the victim around Carlisle city centre for 20 minutes on November 19 before clamping a hand over his mouth and assaulting him in a car park near West Walls.

Goode pleaded guilty to a charge of sexually assaulting a child under 13 and breaching a sexual offences prevention order.

Adjourning the sentencing until March 20, Judge Peter Hughes QC said: “He is a serious sexual offender with a high risk for boys and there’s no question that the sentence will be custodial.”

Goode, who was living at the John Street hostel in Carlisle at the time of the assault, was remanded in custody.

February 2014

Plymouth circus skills instructor admits sexually molesting children

SICK circus skills instructor Rhys Thomas-Samways has today admitted sexually abusing eight children over 18 years.

Thomas-Samways, who had also been a Scout leader and childminder, abused the trust of parents by forcing youngsters under his instruction to take part in his perverted games, a court heard.

He spanked children and even forced them to dress up in Victorian clothing to meet his bizarre fantasies, Plymouth Crown Court was told.

A judge told him he was facing a likely prison sentence.

Thomas-Samways, aged 42, ran a trapeze and youth circus and was seen as a mentor by some of the trusting youngsters.

He has now admitted 19 sexual offences against eight children, mostly boys, from 1995 until August last year.

Rhys Thomas-Samways, of Seymour Avenue, St Judes, pleaded guilty to offences of sexual assault and indecency with a child.

Judge Paul Darlow told him when he appeared over the videolink from Exeter Prison, that he was adjourning sentence for a probation report.

He said: “There are no promises in this case. The most likely starting point is one of custody.”

Magistrates were told at a previous hearing that Thomas-Samways, also known as Rhys Thomas, had also been a Scout leader and childminder.

As a circus skills instructor, he had the care of a number of vulnerable children from difficult backgrounds.

He was a director of Emerge Youth Circus and took part in events such as the Lord Mayor’s Day Parade and the Big Day in the Park at Freedom Fields.

Rhys-Thomas was remanded in custody until his sentencing on April 11.

February 2014

‘Family man lost everything’ after viewing and sharing child abuse images while working abroad

A family man “lost everything” when he started viewing and sharing indecent images of children online while working away from home, a court heard.

Brian Ison was thrown out of his Cambridge home by his wife after admitting two charges of possessing illegal photographs and two of making them – and now lives in a caravan in Wisbech where he is “scared to go on the internet”.

Cambridge Crown Court was told the 57-year-old’s work laptop and home computer were found to contain 1,130 level one images, 67 level two, 123 level three, 162 level four and 12 of the most serious level five pictures, although prosecutor Benedict Peers had claimed there were actually 14 in that category.

Mr Peers said the investigation began in February 2011 when a man in Essex was prosecuted for similar charges and an examination of his computer revealed he had been communicating with others, including the user of an email address registered to a CB1 postcode matching the defendant’s.

A warrant was issued on December 13, but while images were found on the hard drives of both devices, the email account had already been cleared. However, Essex Police recovered logs from chat rooms that showed illegal images being shared by Ison.

Melanie Benn, mitigating, said her client – who worked at locations across the world for JDR Cable Systems – “was extremely frank with police and told them because he was working away from home, and had falling self-esteem, he started using adult porn”.

She said: “He then moved to the world of child porn and very regrettably became involved with others in chat rooms where he viewed and shared images with others.

“Exposure to these images in chat rooms normalised his behaviour and because others engaged in it, he did not take responsibility for his behaviour.”

She added: “This has led to the breakdown of his marriage. He was a loving and devoted family man but has lost everything, as his offences have seen him proceed through the criminal justice system.

“He is scared to go on the internet now.”

Judge Jonathan Haworth told Ison: “You were drawn into the netherworld of child pornography at the age of 57 after a successful family life, when you had just got to the stage where you and your wife were living a comfortable existence.

“Your wife has described the explosion felt in the family when the police knocked on your door.”

Judge Haworth sentenced Ison to 10 months in prison suspended for two years, and ordered the defendant to complete a sexual offenders treatment programme, attend regular supervision appointments with the probation service, sign the sex offenders register, pay £670 court costs and abide by a sexual offenders prevention order which allows police to examine his computer at any time.

January 2014

Vale man caught with child abuse images

A VALE man who was caught with indecent images and movies of children has been spared a jail sentence 

Last week David Cowen appeared in the dock at Dumbarton Sheriff Court after police searched the Alexandria home he shares with his wife and daughter on April 11 last year.

Officers had been granted a warrant to search the 48-year-old dad-of-one’s property but arrived to find nobody at home.

Cops then spoke to a neighbour who told them that the family were on holiday but provided them with a key which allowed them to gain access to the house — where they removed a computer.

Upon examination several files, which would have been inaccessible to the ordinary computer user, were discovered.

In total there were nine indecent images of children and seven indecent movies, ranging from level one to level four. Images at level five are classified as the worst.

The following day Cowen was detained by police and gave a “no comment” interview.

But in December he admitted to a charge of taking or permitting to be taken or making indecent photographs or pseudophotographs of children between November 20, 2012, and April 10, 2013.

Judith Reid, defending Cowen, said an indication that he intended to plead guilty had been given at an early opportunity.

She also told the court he was a genuine first offender who had had the threat of imprisonment hanging over him for some time and had already been given a taste of what could come after spending the weekend in custody following his arrest.

She said: “It’s fair to say he’s very much learned a lesson even before being sentenced today in terms of his behaviour.”

Ms Reid also claimed if Cowen was to be jailed it could have a “fairly devastating” effect on his family and could mean that his wife, who is the main breadwinner and works away for days at a time, would end up in a position where she couldn’t work.

Sheriff Simon Pender, sentencing, placed Cowen on a community payback order which requires him to be supervised for three years and carry out 225 hours of unpaid work in the community.

He also made Cowen the subject of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order for five years, which following a motion by the Crown, includes a condition that means he cannot have any unsupervised contact with children under the age of 16 other than his daughter and her friends provided she is present.

In addition, Cowen was also placed on the sex offenders register for three years.

February 2014

Flasher exposed himself to sisters on mobile phone

A teenager who exposed himself to two girls on a mobile phone had committed the same type of sex offence in the past, a court heard.

Aaron Kucukcan was placed on three years supervision, with a sex offender treatment programme, by a judge who told him he had a problem that needed addressing, or more serious offending might take place in future.

Preston Crown Court heard he had exposed himself in a FaceTime connection to a 16-year-old girl and her 13-year-old sister had also seen his image.

The defendant (19), formerly of Todber Caravan Site, Gisburn, and Derby Street, Colne, had admitted an offence of exposure, as well as a bail offence.

Mr Rick Holland (prosecuting) said the older girl had begun to receive messages from an unknown source on her new iphone. The third time the phone rang, she went on to see a male exposing himself and touching himself.

Both girls were shocked by what they saw and told their mother.

Kucukcan’s phone number was found and the 16-year-old knew who he was.

In 2010, the defendant had been placed on a youth rehab order for exposure following an offence in a wooded area, involving a woman.

Miss Laura Heywood (defending) said the teenager had fancied the girl and thought that, perhaps, she fancied him, too.

“It was perhaps a very foolish thing for him to do. It was foolish, rather than anything more sinister”, Miss Heywood told the court.

“He is clearly remorseful and regretful for his actions. He now realises the impact this offence has had.”

Judge Anthony Russell QC told Kucukcan such an offence could cause considerable distress. He said “It seems quite clear there is a risk if what seems to be a sexual problem is not addressed, that further and possibly more serious offending might result as a consequence.”

The teenager was made the subject of a three-year restraining order barring him from any contact with the girls. He will be on the sex offenders’ register for five years.

February 2014

Man Jailed For rape and other Sex Offences

A 23-year-old man from Bristol has been jailed for three-and-a-half years for sex offences against a woman and a 15-year-old girl.

Lee King, of Lawrence Weston Road, was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court after being convicted by a jury of one count of rape and two counts of sexual assault following a week-long trial.

The convictions result from a two-and-a-half year investigation in which officers with Avon and Somerset Police’s Operation Bluestone team worked alongside the Metropolitan Police and Essex Police.

In May 2011, an 18-year-old woman contacted Essex Police to report that she had been raped by King at his home in Bristol on 19 May.

The same victim later said she had also been sexually assaulted by King at an address in Essex about a week before the rape.

In June 2011, a 15-year-old girl contacted the Metropolitan Police to report that King had sexually assaulted her at an address in the South Woodford area of London on 21 May.

Investigating officer Det Con Andrew Coggins said:

“Lee King is a manipulative and opportunistic offender who took advantage of a young woman and a 15-year-old girl. Following the rape, the victim challenged King and asked him why he had done it, but his only response was to emotionally manipulate her in a futile attempt to stop her contacting the police.

It has been a long and protracted investigation and we have worked closely with our colleagues in Essex Police and the Metropolitan Police to achieve this conviction.

The victims showed a vast amount of courage in reporting offences to police and supporting the subsequent investigation through to a trial. I hope they are able to find some form of closure now justice has been done.”

February 2014

Rodmell paedophile caught with indecent images while on bail jailed for four years

A paedophile caught with thousands of indecent images of children despite being on bail for similar offences has been jailed for four years.

In total John Powell had 5,038 indecent images of children and 368 Prohibited extreme pornographic images.

The Rodmell resident appeared at Hove Crown Court on Friday, February 21 and was sentenced to four years in jail.

The 58-year-old was also served with a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) for life severely restricting his access to computers and children, and will also be required to be to be a registered sex offender for life

On January 16, Powell, Martens Field, Rodmell, had pleaded guilty to 12 counts of making indecent images of children, 4 counts of possession of indecent images of children and 2 counts of possession of prohibited images.

One alleged offence of taking an indecent image of a child was not proceeded with and will remain on the court file.

All the indecent images and videos are Internet-based.

The prosecution followed an intelligence-led investigation by the Paedophile On-Line Investigation Team (POLIT) of Sussex Police.

Detective Constable Jackie Keogh of POLIT said: “In total Powell was found to be in possession of 5,038 indecent images of children and 368 Prohibited extreme pornographic images. The indecent images of children covered all ranges, from level 1 through to level 5 which are the most serious.

“Even when we were about to charge Powell with one set of these offences in October 2012, we discovered that he was still offending while on bail, and he was arrested again and charged with more offences which are also included in today’s sentencing.

“This case is a further example of our commitment to follow up intelligence, whether from law enforcement of from the public, about individuals engaged in this type of activity which, by perpetuating the circulation of such images, is a form of child sex abuse in itself.

“Every image represents actual child sex abuse, and we will continue to follow up any information, whether from law enforcement or from local people.

February 2014

Bedwyn paedophile loses fight to get jail term cut

A Bedwyn man, who committed appalling sex attacks on a girl aged just eight, has been told by top judges that his seven-and-a-half-year jail term was not a day too long.

John Andrew Kettle, 57, took advantage of the girl to slake his thirst for paedophile sex, London’s Criminal Appeal Court heard.

Kettle, of Little Bedwyn, was caged after being convicted of three counts of indecent assault at Dorchester Crown Court in August last year.

Today he asked Lord Justice Davis, Mr Justice Supperstone and Judge Nicholas Hilliard QC to reduce that sentence, claiming he had been treated too harshly.

Observing that “all she had wanted was attention”, Judge Hilliard said that, of that stage in her life, “all that she could now remember was being abused”.

Lawyers for Kettle today argued that the sentencing judge had gone over the top.

But Judge Hilliard, throwing out the appeal, said: “The sentence of seven and a half years was undoubtedly a very severe one, but these were very serious offences. “This sentence was not manifestly excessive.”