May 2014

Choir leader at city centre church guilty of possessing indecent images of children – Some aged as young as two

A choir leader at a Coventry city centre church looked at indecent internet images of children – some aged as young as two.

Police raided the home of Robert Humpherson, aged 56, last April and found hundreds of images of youngsters on a laptop and a storage device.

When questioned by officers he admitted looking at the images but claimed he had never saved them onto his computer.

He pleaded guilty to 12 counts of possessing indecent images of children and was sentenced last week at the crown court in Leamington.

The court heard that Humpherson, of Kilnsey Grove, Warwick, was a former church council member and choir leader.

The Telegraph has since learned that those roles were held at Coventry’s Holy Trinity Church, in Priory Row.

Humpherson hasn’t been back to the church in the last 12 months.

Blondel Thompson, prosecuting, said that a total of 2,655 images were found by police.

Six were level five – the most serious – and 248 were at level four.

Miss Thompson said: “He expressed remorse in police interview. He said he had been experiencing difficulties in his family life.

“He accepted accessing about 30 images per week and when told about those images he said he was surprised there were any at level four or five.”

Miss Thompson told the court that Humpherson had admitted searching the internet for the phrase “pre-teen hardcore”.

She said that in interview Humpherson had told police about his work as a choir leader.

“He talked about how he was trying to encourage the young people to harmonise in the choir,” Miss Thompson added.

Matthew Brook, defending Humpherson, said his client had admitted surfing the net for indecent images of children for some time.

“He was a man at the time working in IT,” Mr Brook said. “He would have been able, had he wanted to, to install forensic software so this material could have been completely removed so the police would not have found it.

“He explained in interview that he didn’t do that.

“He knew eventually the police would come knocking at his door. He said it was a compulsion he was unable to control.

“He wishes to express through me his remorse. He understands, unlike in many of these cases, that these images are of young children being abused.

“He wishes the court to understand that he knows he has contributed to that.”

Since his arrest Humpherson has voluntarily gone to a child protection charity and spoken to a psychotherapist.

Judge Sylvia de Bertodano said Humpherson had made significant steps to address his offending.

“They are very serious offences – I know that you know that,” she said. “These pictures are made for a market and that market is people who view them. In this case that’s you.’’

Judge de Bertodano decided not to send Humpherson to prison after hearing that he was still being supported by his family.

She gave him a 16 month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

He will be supervised for two years, attend a community sex offenders group programme and sign a sexual offences prevention order for 10 years.

A spokesman from the Diocese of Coventry said: “We always take seriously any allegation against a church member, and we work closely with the police throughout the investigation and legal processes.

“Church members will greet the news of this offence with surprise and sadness. I’m sure that they will be praying for all victims of abuse, and also for others affected by this sad news.”

May 2014

Devious convicted paedophile jailed for three years after downloading illegal images of child abuse AGAIN

To his family and friends, devious Damian Peters appeared to have put his pervert past behind him.

The 39-year-old self-employed surveyor had rebuilt his life after a conviction six years ago for downloading sick sex images of children.

But when his wife checked their computer she discovered her two-faced partner had secretly continued his “infatuation with disturbing imagery”.

Now a judge has heard that even after his arrest, Peters then started a new relationship with the mother of a young girl.

Peters of Meadowbank Road, Kennington has now been jailed for three years after a jury at Canterbury Crown Court convicted him of downloading illegal images.

Judge Simon James told him: “For many years you have sought to delude yourself and those close to you that you are not sexually interested in children.

“But the plain fact is that you appear to have an insatiable appetite for viewing images of child sexual abuse.

“You had been able to rebuild your life but you were prepared to risk everything just to view similar images.”

In 2007 Peters he had been given a suspended jail sentence for making hundreds of indecent images of children and was given a Sexual Offences Prevention Order.

The court heard how outwardly – and with the support of family and friends – he appeared to have succeeded in changing.

But the “arrogant and ignorant“ Peters retained his “secret desire” to see the vile images – believing that if he didn’t save them on his computer then he wouldn’t be detected.

Prosecutor Bridget Todd said the SOPO had prohibited Peters from having a computer with access to the Internet  – but the pervert got round that restriction  by getting his wife to buy one.

And when officers seized the computer they discovered in its memory images of child rape, which Peters had tried to conceal.

At his trial he denied accessing the images and claimed his now ex-wife had reported him because of a vendetta against him.

But the judge told him: “You have sought throughout to blame everyone but yourself leaving your wife and your family wondering how you could have betrayed their trust and forgiveness.”

He praised Peters’ wife for her courage in giving evidence at the trial “such was her disgust at what she had discovered on her computer”.

He continued: “Instead of resulting in shame and contrition on your part, you sought to portray (your wife) as a vindictive liar. The jury saw through that and the only liar was yourself.

“You were given a chance in 2007 but now I think your fall from grace is complete. Any vestiges of respect you may have gained from others I suspect has now dissipated.

“You tried to minimise your offending to your wife, yet even after your arrest  for these offences, you started another relationship with the mother of a young girl without informing her of your past or these proceedings.”

Peters, who had denied the downloading 180 images up to Level 5, was ordered to remain on the Sex Offender’s Register for life and given a new SOPO preventing him from accessing the Internet without the police being able to check what he had been viewing.

May 2014

‘Evil’ paedophile OAP who abused 10 victims

Pervert pensioner Ian Foster – the married man who met several victims through pimp Amanda Spencer – was branded an ‘arrogant and determined paedophile’ yesterday by a judge who jailed him for 14 years.

See also related case and report – Amanda Spencer

Foster, aged 68, of Peckham Road, High Green, Sheffield, was convicted of indecently assaulting three of the victims at his former home in Gleadless Valley.

He was also sentenced for child sex offences relating to seven victims from a previous trial – which included six counts of sexual activity with a child, five of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and one of engaging in sexual activity with a child, dating back to 2003.

Judge Murphy said Foster – who swore at the court as he was led away from the dock – had ignored abduction notices banning him from contact with under 16s.

“Your malevolent presence has permeated this investigation,” he said. “Your involvement with 10 children was not out of the goodness of your heart – what you did was to groom them so you could exploit them and abuse them sexually.

“The sentences have to be commensurate with the evil you have shown.”

Det Chief Insp Bob Chapman said afterwards: “Twelve years for Spencer and 14 for Foster reflect the severity of the offences before the court. They got exactly what they deserved.”

May 2014

Canterbury paedophile jailed after setting up photo studio to lure children with showbiz dreams

A convicted Canterbury paedophile set himself up as a photographer to lure children who wanted to break into showbusiness.

Pervert Paul Wright used Facebook to promote his new firm – One Touch Photography – aimed at youngsters.

On his advert was a link to another legitimate website offering services for children who want to become famous.

But the parents who allowed the coach driver to organise photo shoots at their homes never knew he had served time for downloading vile sex images of children.

Now a judge at Canterbury Crown Court has jailed Wright, of Nunnery Fields, for three years.

The 46-year-old father-of-two had pleaded guilty to seven charges of breaching a Sex Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) and downloading child sex images as well as a story about the rape of a six-month old victim.

Judge James O’Mahony told him: “You flagrantly breached the court orders which were designed to protect children.

“You were advertising, attracting children who, no doubt, in these days of celebrities, thought, ‘I’m going to be famous, perhaps’ and that was the way you started taking their photographs.

“Although I accept there is no evidence you did anything that was physical.”

Prosecutor Robert De Banzie told how police were alerted to Wright’s Facebook photography advert and raided his home.

Wright, who has links to Deal and Dover, had been jailed in July 2011 for 20 weeks after admitting eight charges of possessing and making vile child sex images.

Mr De Banzie said Wright had had restricted access to a computer and was banned from work that gave him unfettered access to children.

“It was discovered he had been offering photography services from One Touch Photography which had a link to another internet site for aspiring child actors.

“Wright’s home page showed 10 pictures of children which had taken by him. He was arrested and his mobile phone and laptop computer were seized.”

Mr De Banzie said police discovered Wright had also downloaded a story from a sex site – offering “child erotica at its best” – involving the rape of a six-month-old child.

The prosecutor said police also found details of the people who had used One Touch Photography and asked them if Wright had ever been alone with any of the children.

“The parents of a 12-year-old revealed he had unsupervised contact, but there were no allegations they had been interfered with,” he added.

But on his computer and phone, officers discovered nearly 3,000 images and movies up to level two on a scale where five is the most severe.

Wright was questioned by police and admitted photographing children at his home or in rented studios.

He claimed parents were always there during the photo shoots and he had never been left alone with any of the youngsters.

Wright also denied reading the rape story – claiming he had fallen asleep before finishing it and denied having sexual interest in children.

Ben Walker-Nolan, defending, said Wright has now sold his camera equipment and “doesn’t intend to pursue his interest in photography in the future”.

The barrister added that after visiting his mother on the Isle of Wight, Wright was taken ill with a suspected heart attack.

He has now been given a new seven-year SOPO.

May 2014

Convicted child abuser from Roydon denies new sexual assault charges

A CONVICTED child abuser raped and sexually assaulted three young girls over a 14-year period, a court has heard.

Christakis Christodoulou, 72, attacked the victims at his home in Dagenham, Essex, while his partner was out of the house, it is claimed.

The abuse allegedly took place between 1986 and 1999 while the girls were aged between seven and 15.

Christodoulou, who now lives in Temple Mead, Roydon, has two previous convictions for indecent assault and indecency with a child dating back to the 1980s.

He was arrested in 2012 after one of the victims came forward to police.

She claimed that she initially saw Christodoulou’s home as a place of safety because of difficulties at home, Snaresbrook Crown Court heard.

Robert Evans, prosecuting, said: “She thought she had seen him spying on her when she was in the bath one night and after she went to bed she woke up to find him checking on her.”

He then raped her in the bed, the court heard.

Christodoulou also sexually assaulted her during a movie night with his partner, it is claimed.

The abuse continued until shortly before her 16th birthday, the court heard.

Christodoulou allegedly assaulted the second victim until she started going to secondary school and felt able to resist him, it is claimed.

The final alleged victim was just seven or eight when the abuse began and continued until around 1987 to 1988.

Mr Evans said: “She was too young to understand what was happening and she remember him telling her not to tell anyone.

“When she complained he told her that he loved her.”

She also claimed that on one occasion an assault was interrupted by Christodoulou’s girlfriend walking into the room.

When Christodoulou was interviewed by police he denied ever having sex with any of the girls but said he could not think of a reason they would make it up.

He said he had not seen the girls since 2000.

Christodoulou denies three counts of rape, six counts of indecent assault and three of indecency with a child.

The trial continues.

May 2014

Saltash rapist Paul Vine, 60, jailed after ‘luring’ victim to his home

A SALTASH father of 11, who “lured” a young woman to his house by asking for her help and then raped her, has been jailed for 18 years.

The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was one of three that 60-year-old Paul Vine sexually assaulted over a 16-year period, Truro Crown Court heard during his trial last week.

On Thursday, Vine was found guilty of raping two of the women and indecently assaulting the third, who was aged under 16 at the time.

Vine, of Wentworth Way, was investigated by police after one of his victims, aged in her twenties, told police that he had raped her that day after he asked her to go to his house to help him.

She also revealed that he had raped her on previous occasions when she was a teenager.

Police investigations then uncovered the two further victims – one woman who he raped in 1996 and a third who had been indecently assaulted by Vine in 2001 when she was a teenager.

Jason Beal, for the prosecution, said: “What is a common theme throughout the offending of the defendant is that he manipulated situations … to commit offences against vulnerable females.”

Vine was arrested at his home, then in Gunnislake, on January 10.

In interview, he gave a prepared statement denying that he had raped one of the women the previous day, claiming that they had had sex at his home but that it had been consensual. In a later interview he denied that he had indecently assaulted the other girl when she was 14 or 15 or that he had raped an adult woman in 1996.

Mr Beal told the court that Vine had 11 children by four women and had had numerous affairs.

Joanna Martin, for the defence, urged the jury to set aside any feelings of dislike they might have towards Vine.

She said: “He is not monogamous and faithful … what we heard throughout this case was a backdrop of affairs that he had.

“This case is not about his affairs; it is not about how you judge his morals.”

Vine was convicted of four counts of raping two different women and one of indecently assaulting a third between May 1996 and January 2013.

Sentencing, Judge John Neligan said: “It became clear to me during the trial that over the years you treated women with little or no respect, more as possessions for your sexual gratification without regard to their feelings.”

He added that the circumstances of the rape in 2013 showed how Vine manipulated situations to get what he wanted.

He said: “I take the view that you lured [the victim] to your home for the purposes of taking advantage of her sexually.”

Judge Neligan said that an aggravating feature of the case was that Vine had accused his victims of dishonesty.

He said: “In the conduct of your case you have accused these three ladies of having lied about you and all along it was you who was lying.”

Vine was made subject to a sexual offences prevention order indefinitely and ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life.

May 2014

Leicester music teacher found guilty of sexually abusing pupils

An “arrogant” music teacher, found guilty of sexually abusing three pupils, was warned to expect a substantial jail sentence.

Christopher Dunn (39) was convicted of seven offences involving the 15-year-old victims.

Dunn met the girls, and seduced two of them, whilst working at Leicester’s Soar Valley Music Centre, Claremont Street, Belgrave, run by his parents.

A victim who watched the guilty verdicts announced at Leicester Crown Court, hugged her mother and they both wept.

Outside court they said: “All we want to say it that justice has been done and we’ve waited a long time for today.”

Dunn, of Pulford Drive, Thurnby, denied the allegations, claiming he had done nothing illegal.

Judge Simon Hammond told Dunn: “One of the golden rules of teachers and staff at educational establishments is they shouldn’t get sexually involved with pupils.

“Pupils are forbidden fruit.

“It’s important teaching staff say no.

“Parents took their children to the music centre to be taught and not to be sexually seduced by a member of staff.”

The judge added: “He took advantage of those girls and betrayed the trust of those parents.

“He’s shown he likes young girls and it’s clear he used these girls for sexual gratification.

“He was arrogant and overbearing when interviewed by the police and was deliberately difficult.

“The courts have a duty to protect impressionable young girls from themselves.

“This is very serious and I’ll be considering a substantial prison sentence.”

During the trial the jury of seven men and five women were told that on several occasions, Dunn collected one of his 15-year-old music centre students from school and drove her into the countryside, or to his boat on Thurmaston Marina, for intimate encounters involved kissing and sexual touching.

She once suggested changing into her day clothes, but Dunn told her: “I like the school uniform.”

Similar sexual touching occurred with another 15-year-old and after her 16th birthday she lost her virginity in his car.

The third victim had her nipple tweaked by Dunn, on one occasion.

He denied three counts of indecent assault against one 15-year-old, two counts of sexual activity with a child under 16 and one of sexual activity with her when she was 16, by a person in a position of trust, and sexually assaulting a third girl, by twisting her nipple, between 2000 and 2008, when he was in his late 20s to mid 30s.

Dunn, who qualified as a music teacher in 1999, later became the music centre’s development manager, but was suspended from working there in July 2010 due to concerns about his conduct towards the victims.

He also taught music, played in the centre’s orchestra and on occasions conducted it.

He is a former organiser of the county’s Glastonbudget tribute band music festival, from 2007 to 2009.

He told the jury there was no truth in the allegations against him and although he accepted sexual involvement with one victim, is was not until after she was 16 and when was not her music teacher.

After the guilty verdicts were announced, the case was adjourned for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Defence counsel, Andrew Lewis, told the judge: “He knows custody is inevitable and doesn’t seek a period on bail.”

Dunn was remanded into custody to await sentencing on May 30.

During the trial, Vanessa Marshall, prosecuting, said “Dunn was looked up to, especially by young female students taking instruction from him.

“It’s not alleged the defendant forced any of these girls to engage in sexual activity against their consent.

“He didn’t, but that’s no defence because the case is he was embarking upon inappropriate relationships with young girls when he should have known better, owing to that imbalance of power in a teacher-student relationship or position of trust.”

She said that in 2003 it became illegal for someone in a position of trust to engage in sexual activity with anyone under 18.

May 2014

Torpoint man has admitted 12 counts of sexual offences against five underage girls

At Truro Crown Court on Friday, Louis Ryan, 22 years old of Cedar Drive, entered guilty pleas to three counts of attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming, four of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child and two of causing a child to watch a sexual act.

He also admitted charges of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, making an indecent photograph of a child and distributing an indecent image.

The charges relate to five victims aged under 16 and offences are said to have happened between January and June, last year.

The case was adjourned for the preparation of a pre-sentence report by the probation service and Ryan was granted conditional bail to appear before the court for sentence on June 13.

May 2014

Grimsby sex offender said he wanted to ‘kiss and cuddle’ girl, 10, after trying to meet with her

A SEX offender targeted a 10-year-old girl after spotting her with her two sisters in the street – and tried to make arrangements to meet her.

He passed his telephone number to the other girls, making it clear he wanted to meet her – but he denied he had sexual motives.

He later sent text messages saying he loved the girl but the girl’s mother knew about his plan and used the messages to trap him, a court heard.

A judge branded it “very alarming behaviour” and said it could have been “terrifying” for such a young girl.

Andrew Maddison, 46, of Orion Way, Laceby Acres, Grimsby, admitted attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming.

Stephen Welch, prosecuting, told Grimsby Crown Court that three sisters were collecting money for Halloween in Cleethorpes, when they noticed Maddison watching them.

The next day, they again spotted him watching them.

He approached two of them and gave them a card with his telephone number.

He told them he wanted them to give it to their sister, aged 10, and he gave the others £1 coins.

The girls told their mother, who in a bid to trap him, sent him a text message saying: “You asked my friend to give you this number.”

Maddison telephoned the number but an older sister took the call and gave a false name.

Maddison made it clear he wanted to go out on a date and asked to meet her.

He sent a text confirming what he thought was a meeting.

The mother alerted the police and, on October 31, they waited near some shops, where they spotted Maddison loitering.

A detective telephoned his phone and Maddison was unaware he was speaking to the police. He was arrested.

His phone was found to have several text messages from him saying: “I love you very, very much.”

Maddison later claimed he just “wanted somebody to talk to” and to go for a meal with him. If things had progressed, he would have asked her to marry him.

He said he had been married to a woman from the Ukraine for three years but she walked out on him.

All he wanted to do was to talk to someone about his marriage, he claimed.

He claimed some of his comments in texts were “all a joke” and that he intended to take the girl for a walk on the beach before returning her to the shops.

He claimed he had the card because he had learning difficulties and could not remember his own phone number.

He claimed he gave it “on impulse”.

He realised she was under 16.

Maddison denied wanting to have sex with the girl and insisted he would not have forced her.

He just wanted to “kiss and cuddle her”.

Maddison had no previous convictions and had been in custody since October 31.

He was given a three-year supervision order, including a sex offenders’ treatment programme, and must register as a sex offender for five years.

He was given a seven-year sexual offences prevention order and must pay a £60 statutory charge.

May 2014

Family fury after church welcomes tributes for paedophile priest Anthony Laundy

The horrified family of a child abuse victim is calling for a church to apologise after the funeral of a paedophile priest who carried out years of abuse was advertised in its newsletter.

Father Anthony Laundy was jailed for abusing boys while a priest at Sacred Heart church in Edge Hill, Wimbledon, and later at St Winefride’s in Kew Gardens.

He died last month.

The mother of one of his victims, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, expressed her shock a coach party was organised for people to attend the funeral in Croydon on Tuesday.

The woman said: “My son was systematically abused by Laundy over four to five years and he has suffered ever since.

“I am absolutely enraged.

“The church where he perpetrated many of his crimes advertising his funeral is outrageous.”

Seeing his abuser’s funeral advertised brings back horrible memories, she said.

The woman said even many years later her son finds it difficult to trust people after being sexually abused by Laundy, who admitted what happened before being jailed in 2000.

She said: “They are treating his funeral like a parish church outing, with drinks and nibbles, when this is a convicted paedophile that has done extensive damage to my son and others.”

The mother has demanded an apology from the churches advertising Laundy’s funeral.

Father Tom Scannell of St Winifride’s apologised that the family had been so deeply hurt by the item in the newsletter of St Winefride’s church.

However, John Neil, a parishioner for Sacred Heart, said the advert in the church newsletter was a formality given to anyone who had died and the church would not be apologising.

Mr Neil said: “It is not about condoning what may or may not have happened with Tony Laundy.

“It would be more extraordinary to bury a man hush hush – people must be invited to pray for him, his family are bereaved.

“We recognise people may or may not have sinned in the past.

“We have to pray for the repose for the soul.

“It is not without sympathy for the victims.”

Dozens of mourners attended the funeral at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Wellesley Road, Croydon.

May 2014

Bingley man jailed for sexually abusing two young girls

A 49-year-old man has been jailed for eight years after being found guilty of six historic sexual offences against two girls, one of whom was only eight at the time.

Anthony Nash, of Oakworth Road, Bingley, was found guilty of three charges of indecent assault, two charges of sexual assault of a child under 13 years and one of attempted sexual assault.

The offences on the two girls, aged from eight to 12 at the time they occurred, took place between 1995 and 2002, Bradford CrownCourt heard yesterday.

Nash was also given a sexual offences prevention order, meaning he must be supervised by an adult in any contact he has with any girl under 16. He must adhere to the Sexual Offenders’ Register indefinitely.

Sentencing Nash, Judge David Hatton QC told him: “You had no thought or concern about the effects such conduct would have on the minds of your victims.

“The fact is it had a very considerable effect on their minds. They each kept these matters locked away for many years, for fear of causing pain to others. They should not believe that they were instrumental in causing that heartbreaking pain. They were not, you were.”

After the case, Detective Constable Ellen Allen, of the Bradford District Safeguarding Unit, said: “Nash took advantage of his victims’ young ages, one of whom was just eight years old when she was abused, to carry out these sexual assaults.

“We welcome the sentence handed down by the court today, and hope it will help to give the victims some closure. We also hope it will encourage others to come forward and make contact with the Bradford District Safeguarding Unit, whose team of specially trained officers will investigate every report of sexual abuse, no matter how historic, with the aim of securing a conviction.”

May 2014

Convicted sex offender gets job at Manchester Airport – frisking passengers

A convicted sex offender landed a job at Manchester Airport frisking passengers – despite facing fresh allegations of abusing a teenage boy.

James Burns, 56, was employed as an aviation security officer and passed a criminal record and counter terrorism check.

The checks failed to highlight his convictions for historic sex assaults because the Police National Computer at that time did not include all offences from the 70s and 80s.

But Burns was also being investigated by police over new allegations of abusing a 16-year-old boy when he was offered the job in 2013.

He failed to tell his bosses about the allegations and it was not until he was convicted after a trial at Manchester Crown Court in March this year that Burns came clean with bosses and his seedy past came to light.

Burns, of Church Street, Westhoughton, Bolton, was suspended on full pay but has still not been sacked despite this week being given a nine month sentence suspended for two years, a 12-month supervision order, made the subject of a sexual offences prevention order, and placed on the sexual offenders register for ten years.

Burns was found guilty of four counts of sexual assault on a 16-year-old boy.

The sexual offences prevention order means he cannot be allowed unsupervised access to any children under 16, and must not seek to befriend any male under 16 years old.

Between August and December in 2007, Burns assaulted the victim telling him that he was gay, despite Burns being happily married with a wife and children.

As well as assaulting the victim, Burns bombarded him with sexually explicit and suggestive text messages, telling him that no one would believe him if he told anyone about the abuse.

The victim received up to 40 text messages a night of a sexual nature and said he was showered with gifts and cash by Burns.

At the time of the offences Burns ran his own courier business. His firm folded in 2010 and he later applied for and got the job at the airport in 2013.

His latest victim only came forward in 2012 after seeking medical help from his GP.

It was revealed during his trial that Burns had previous convictions for indecent assault on a teenage boy in 1980 when he impersonated a police officer, and two convictions for public order offences in 1983 and 1984 for propositioning young men for sex in the Shifnal Street area of Bolton.

Burns worked as an aviation security officer at the airport, and his role included physical contact with passengers, checking them as they go through security when boarding.

A Manchester Airport spokesman said: “All security officers are given a criminal records check and a counter terrorism check, before they can be based at a UK airport, and the checks highlighted no disqualifying offences.

“Had the check shown up the offences from the 1980s Burns would have been disqualified from working at the airport.”

A spokesman added that Burns remained suspended on full pay from his job.

The Police National Computer database is continually being updated with historic offences. The MEN understands the offences carried out by Burns had not been added when he was arrested in 2012.

May 2014

‘He removed her childhood from her’: Sexual predator who raped and abused victims is jailed

A calculating and manipulative rapist who carried out a 13-year campaign against five victims has been given a 28-year sentence.

Christopher Daniel, 25, of Brithweunydd Road, Trealaw, Rhondda, was 12 years old when he targeted his first victim. She was just eight years old.

He denied 20 counts of sexual abuse between 2000 and 2013, including multiple counts of rape, sexual assault and causing a child to engage in sexual activity.

But a jury of five men and seven women at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court took three hours to unanimously convict him on all counts.

Judge Richard Twomlow told Daniel that he was a dangerous offender, posing a significant risk of serious harm to members of the public and as such imposed an extended sentence.

He told Daniel, who appeared for sentence via video link from the prison: “The way the offences were committed in different locations as each girl reached a similar age show that you were manipulative and clever in avoiding suspicion.

“You have been a calculating sexual predator. This was a sustained and determined campaign of rape and sexual abuse.”

Daniel was jailed for 20 years, of which he will have to serve two-thirds in prison before being eligible for release on licence, and made the subject of an eight-year extended licence, which will begin at the end of the 20-year period.

Daniel, a father and former taxi driver, remained emotionless during sentence, as he was when was found guilty following a nine-day trial in January in which the victims’ horrors were relived.

Prosecutor Lucy Crowther told the court: “All the girls felt that they had been called liars and that they were the ones being criticised when all they wanted to do was to tell the truth.”

She read a statement to the court from victims’ parents detailing the effect of the offending.

“They feel guilty to the very core that they should have somehow known there was something wrong, so that they could have done something. They feel that they were unable to protect their children.

“It has been heart breaking to know they have been through all this and the court case.

“The defendant has shown no remorse. He had tried to control them by putting them through the horrific ordeal of a full trial. He could have said sorry or admitted what he had done.”

One of Daniel’s victims spoke of her guilt at not speaking up sooner.

“She felt that he had removed her childhood from her,” said Ms Crowther.

“She felt greatly upset that her adult life is still being ruled by him. She was eight when it first started. What was happening was wrong but it became a normal part of her life that she expected to happen.

“She struggles deeply in order to trust men, and issues are so deep rooted that she feels she has to wash and scrub because she feels dirty if she comes into contact with other people.

“She feels extraordinarily guilty that if she had spoken up sooner others would not have had to experience what they did. She does not know how to stop the guilt.”

During the trial, Daniel’s mother, club stewardess Janette Daniel, told the jury she had never had any reason to suspect he would carry out any such abuse.

It was a sentiment echoed by Daniel’s partner, Kate Richards, who told the jury that she had never harboured any suspicions or concern regarding his behaviour.

During the trial the jury heard Daniel described by his victims, who cannot be named for legal reasons, as cold, intimidating and having a violent streak.

The jury was told Daniel would abuse them at every opportunity, gagging one girl when she tried to scream for help by covering her mouth with his hand.

He told them his behaviour was a “secret” and “very special”.

Daniel’s behaviour towards his victims, the court heard, had been initially innocent but it quickly progressed and escalated into sexual abuse, and he bought some silence with bribes such as sweets.

One victim said: “I didn’t fully understand what he was doing but as I got old I did.

“He made me feel disgusting. I have to live with the guilty of not telling anybody. I didn’t want people to know. I was ashamed. Very ashamed.”

Daniel will have to sign as a sex offender for life.

After the hearing, Detective Inspector Richard Erskine, of South Wales Police, said: “Mr Daniel was a calculating, manipulative individual who preyed on the vulnerable.

“He deserves to be behind bars and I now hope the victims and their loved ones have some level of closure to what they have suffered.”

May 2014

‘Depraved’ man who ‘sunk to the depths of depravity’ jailed for grooming schoolgirl

A man who “sunk to the depths of depravity” has received a lengthy prison sentence for grooming and engaging in sexual activity with a teenage girl.

Gareth Rees was handed a sentence of seven and a half years – half of which he will serve in prison and half of which in the community.

The 37-year-old from Sampson’s Avenue in Pontypool admitted one count of meeting a child after sexual grooming and two counts of sexual activity with a child. All three of the offences took place in August and September last year.

The court heard that his victim was 14 at the time and their relationship began when Rees made contact with her through Facebook.

The teenager then went to meet him at the supermarket where he worked.

Tony Trigg, prosecuting, said: “The contact on Facebook quickly became sexual in nature.”

He added Rees had called the girl a “little minx” and sent her a photograph of himself in the bath.

“At one point, she told the defendant she had had sex education in school that day. He said ‘I can show you sex education properly’ and then he started asking her what she was wearing,” Mr Trigg told the court.

Rees told the girl that he was planning to have an affair because he had not “slept around for ages”.

In September last year, the teenager again went to meet him at work and he drove them to a car park, where the sexual activity occurred. He then drove her home to Newport.

The court heard the contact ended when the teenager got a boyfriend at school. She subsequently told her mother about the incident and Rees was arrested on December 18.

In a written victim impact statement read out in court, the victim’s mother said: “I have seen my daughter go from being a normal, fun-loving and outgoing girl to one who is depressed and, at times, suicidal.

“She could not eat, or sleep, and said she wanted to kill herself.

“She has missed a lot of school and this, in the year she started her GCSEs, badly affected her coursework.”

Andrew Taylor, defending, said: “This is not a case where a man goes on the internet trawling for young girls.

“He is a man who is hard-working and is extremely well-regarded by his employer and his community.

“He expects punishment for what he has done.

“He is completely devastated by what he has done – the effect on the victim, the effect on her family and the effect on his family has been overwhelming.”

Sentencing, Judge David Wynn Morgan said: “There was a significant degree of planning in the form of grooming.”

He added: “There was a more than 20 year disparity in your ages.

“You do not fully understand the depths of depravity to which you sunk.”

March 2007

Security tightens after library child abuse images case

SECURITY has been tightened on public-access computers across the Borders after a man was jailed for downloading child abuse images at Galashiels Public Library.

But a senior councillor is still worried that even toughened procedures will not be enough to prevent sex-surfers logging on to paedophile and hard-core sites.

Andrew Robertson, 25, of Gala Park in Galashiels was jailed for six months this week and put on the Sex Offenders Register for seven years.

He’d been convicted by a jury of downloading 185 indecent photographs of children at the town’s library between December 2003 and January last year.

In August 2005, Richard Wartnaby from Earlston was jailed for two years after downloading more than 1,000 child porn images at the same library and at the public library at Earlston High School between March 2004 and April 8 the following year. He was put on the sex-shame register for five years.

SBC administers 90 free-access personal computers, which over the past 12 months attracted 84,000 bookings, clocking up 70,000 hours of use.

SBC’s cultural services manager Ian Brown commented: “Following the Earlston case we discussed procedures quite thoroughly with the police and Child Protection Agency. 

“We further tightened up on procedures and our ability to monitor if internet users have been accessing illegal sites. We take the unacceptable or illegal use of internet access very seriously.”

And he denied security had been lax in Roberston’s case.

He told us: “We were not lax. We would have been lax if it had slipped through. And we are tightening up. New software will be installed with an international list of illegal sites which will be updated on a daily basis.

“It will block access and give us an indication that someone is trying to enter. It identifies the computer and the time of the attempt.”

And because every person that logs onto a public-access computer has to register with their name and address, it means they should be quickly traced once police have been informed.

But the councillor in charge of libraries is still worried. Val Robson of Newcastleton told The Southern: “This is not the first time it has happened and I wonder if we are doing everything that we can – or is it the case that we can never be 100 per cent sure it won’t happen unless we deny everyone the valuable service of these computers.

“We need to look at what the national and international scene is and compare what is happening in the Borders. 

“I know about computers and I know from reading how easy it is to access these sites. There is always something new, and that must equally apply on the nasties front.

“We are doing our best and are very aware of what might and can happen. But I want to be told how that compares with what is being done elsewhere. 

“But you cannot make fortresses out of places like libraries and schools. If you do that, then you are simply giving in to these kind of people.”

August 2005

School library child abuse images viewer jailed

A FATHER-of-three who used a school library computer to download more than 1,000 images of child abuse images was yesterday jailed for two years.

Richard Wartnaby’s fantasies were only exposed when a pupil glanced over his shoulder and raised concerns with staff at what he had seen.

Selkirk Sheriff Court heard some of the images were at the most serious end of the scale – showing bestiality, sadomasochism and adults having sex with children.

Procurator fiscal Fiona MacDonald said that for more than a year Wartnaby had visited the library at Earlston High School in the Borders, which is open to the public, to use the internet.

She explained he would type key words into search engines. He downloaded the images on to CDs and floppy discs which he would later view.

Miss MacDonald said there were 1,055 indecent images transferred to the CDs.

She said the offences came to light when a sixth-year pupil in the library walked past Wartnaby and saw some of the images on the screen. He immediately alerted staff and an investigation was launched into what he had been accessing.

Wartnaby – who was accompanied in court by his wife, Shiela – pleaded guilty on indictment to the making of indecent photographs of children at Earlston and Galashiels public libraries between 1 March, 2004, and 8 April this year. He also admitted having the indecent photographs in his possession at his home and also at the libraries.

The defence lawyer, Mark Harrower, pleaded for Wartnaby, who is unemployed, to be spared jail, arguing he had already suffered by having to move away from the family home in Earlston and staying in homeless accommodation in Edinburgh.

He said: “He is fortunate that his wife is standing by him despite her disgust at what he has done.

“There is an element in this case that Mr Wartnaby did not realise just how serious what it was that he was doing.

“He has brought it upon himself but his case already acts as a deterrent as any right-thinking family member would think again about committing such an offence after realising what he has been through.”

But Sheriff Kevin Drummond said the fact that the downloading had been carried out in a public facility and within a school and on one occasion witnessed by a pupil aggravated the offence.

In addition to the two-year jail sentence, he ordered Wartnaby’s name to be placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

May 2014

Man jailed for 17 yrs for historic sex offences against very young child

A man has been jailed for 17 years for sexual offences involving a child which occurred over a decade.

Stephen Wilkes aged 44, of Monkside, Cramlington in Northumberland was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court on Friday, May 9.

He had earlier been found guilty to ten counts of indecent assault/gross indecency and sexual activity involving penetration with a child at Newcastle Crown Court on March 14.

This was an historic case of offences committed over a ten year period starting in 1994 when the young girl victim was three years old.  Wilkes also pleaded guilty in August to possessing an indecent moving image of a child on his computer.

Detective Sergeant Phil Mordue, of the Rape Investigation Team, said: “We want to reassure people we take all allegations of child sexual abuse – current or historic – very seriously and have specially trained officers able to deal with sensitive issues in confidence. 

“I would also like to praise the bravery of the victim who came forward and told officers about these crimes. This enquiry has been very difficult for this individual and I hope that following this sentence she feels that justice has now been done.

“I would like to say to anyone who has suffered such abuse to try to find the courage to tell the police so we can take action.  No one should feel they have to suffer in silence and carry around the heavy burden of this type of abuse.  I hope this young woman can now start to put this ordeal behind her and move forward with the help and support of her family.” 

May 2014

Prestatyn man convicted of making child abuse images

A PRESTATYN man has been convicted of making child abuse images by downloading from the Internet.

John Garbutt, aged 52, of Ffordd Penrhwylfa in Meliden, Prestatyn, denied six offences involving nine still images and two videos. 

He told the jury at Mold Crown Court that he had no interest in such images, he had never seen the images, and had not been responsible for downloading them. 

But Garbutt, described as a self employed therapist who has been in the caring industry all his life, was convicted of all charges. 

Judge Niclas Parry bailed him pending sentence. 

He said that he should get his affairs in order because of all sentencing options would remain open. 

The court heard how his home was subjected to a police raid in December 2012 and his business premises in Rhuddlan were searched. 

Examination of his home computer and laptop showed that a web browser and file sharing software had been used to download the images. 

Prosecutor David Mainstone said that there were level four images which involved an adult male having intercourse with a girl aged about 12 and another aged about five. 

Garbutt denied taking an officer to one side during the raid and said that he had clicked on child images accidently. 

In evidence, he told how he watched adult porn but had not been responsible for downloading child images. 

He said that he had no idea how they got on his laptop. 

Simon Mintz, defending, told the jury that it would be possible that thumbnail images of child abuse could appear on his client’s computer – while visiting adult porn sites – without him knowing that they were there. 

But the prosecution said that some images had been searched for using terms indicating an interest in child sex and a deliberate decision had been made to download them.

May 2014

Honiton businessman had ‘depraved’ child abuse images

A judge has branded a businessman as depraved after hearing how he was found with images of serious child abuse on his home computer.

Paul Samuel was traced by investigators after he used a website which was being monitored and downloaded images which showed girls and boys as young as five being forced to have sex with adults.

He told police he watched the pornography because of a medical condition but rejected his explanation when he appeared at Exeter Crown Court.

Samuel, 56, of Monkton, near Honiton, admitted seven offences of possession or making of indecent, prohibited or extreme images.

He was jailed for eight months, suspended for two years, ordered to pay £450 costs. His computer equipment was seized and he was made subject of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order which will allow police to monitor his future internet use.

Judge Francis Gilbert, QC, told him: ”You have pleaded guilty to serious offences of making indecent images of children, the nature of which I will not describe in public.

“What you did demonstrated extreme depravity on your part and the explanation you gave about a medical condition is simply not acceptable as a justification for looking at these appalling images.

“There were photographs of young children being abused by adults and there were also other extreme images which were also depraved.

“Many people have written letters to the court saying what a decent and honest man you are. You may be honest but you are far from decent and I dare say they would be shocked if they learned about your conduct.”

Miss Janice Eagles, prosecuting, said in addition to more than 400 images of naked children police found 51 pictures showing children suffering serious abuse by adults.

She said: ”The defendant came to the attention of the police because of an investigation in Gloucestershire in which an internet site was found from which he was traced.

“The images showed female children as young as five or six and one of the more serious images of abuse showed a boy aged eight to 10. He told officers he had visited teen sites but the images had popped up.

“He is of previous good character and gave an account in interview of needing to access pornography to assist with a medical condition.”

Mr Tristan Harwood, defending, urged the Judge to give Samuel credit for his early guilty plea and previous unblemished record and to follow the suggestion of a probation pre-sentence report.

May 2014

Award-winning Scots butcher caught downloading child abuse images at his Edinburgh shop

ONE of Scotland’s best-known butchers has been caught downloading child abuse images – in his shop.

Brazen Jonathan Crombie bragged in the media last week about winning Britain’s Best Burger.

But a week earlier, he admitted viewing child porn when he appeared in Edinburgh Sheriff Court. He will be sentenced in a fortnight.

He ogled vile images at his world-famous store in Edinburgh’s Broughton Street.

Married Crombie, 45, was caught after a police operation to snare indecent images of children users.

An IP address used to download indecent images involving children was traced to his shop.

A source said: “A lot of people work there but Jonathan eventually admitted downloading the images.

“Given his prominence in the media and business community, the fact he has another life where he looks at children being abused is sickening.

“His family are devastated, particularly his elderly dad Sandy, who is a respected figure in Edinburgh.

“The shop is always busy and they are well-known for their upmarket products.”

The shop, opened in 1955 by Crombie’s grandfather Alex, won awards including Scotland’s Best Butcher’s Beef Sausage.

Crombies, promoted on the VisitScotland website, have the largest range of sausages in Scotland. Their products are served in top restaurants.

The firm’s burger award came on May 2 at the Q Guild BBQ Competition grand final in Oxford.

Yesterday a spokeswoman for Scottish Courts said: “Jonathan Crombie was charged with downloading indecent images of children and pled guilty at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on April 8, 2014. Sentence was deferred until May 20, 2014.”

Crombie’s wife refused to comment at their home in Duddingston yesterday.

Staff at the shop said he had gone elsewhere.