March 2015

Kent detectives catch Redruth paedophile who was working in the South Pole 

Kent detectives have caught a South Pole paedophile after he communicated with undercover officers he wanted to sexually abuse an eight-year-old girl.

Simon Rouen was arrested at Heathrow Airport on March 14 2014 as he arrived back in England from the South Pole, where he had been working.

Whilst abroad, Rouen, 36, from Redruth in Cornwall, had communicated with two undercover police officers and expressed his desire to sexually abuse an eight-year-old girl.

Various emails were exchanged, with the final email being sent in March from Chile as Rouen made his way back to England.

Rouen was arrested at the airport terminal by officers from Kent Police’s paedophile online investigation team and transported to Maidstone police station to be interviewed.

A review of data stored on his computer also showed that he was storing indecent images of children.

He was charged with arranging the facilitation of a child sex offence and possessing indecent images of children. He was remanded in custody pending a trial.

Rouen was found guilty by a jury on January 16 and on March 17 was sentenced to three years in prison when he appeared before Southwark Crown Court.

He will also be subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order and will be on the Sex Offenders’ Register.

Detective Constable Jo Gordon from Kent Police said: “Throughout the course of the emails he sent, Simon Rouen demonstrated a very real desire to sexually abuse the child when he returned to England.

“Fortunately, through our proactive investigations we were able to identify the risk he posed to children and intercept him before any child could be abused.

We will use all the techniques available to us to apprehend people who prey upon children online, and who use the internet as a tool to find children to sexually abuse or to view indecent images of children.”

March 2015

Pervert who groomed and sexually abused two young girls has been jailed for four years

Mark Blaylock, 42, was convicted by a jury at Hull Crown Court of three counts of sexual activity with a child under 16 and three of attempted sexual activity with a child.

The court heard the abuse began when both victims, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, were aged 13.

On the first occasion, Blaylock tried to kiss one of the girls while standing next to her.

John Thackray, prosecuting, said: “He told her he really liked her and put his arm around her.”

Just over a year later, Blaylock, of 16th Avenue, north Hull, began contacting the same girl on Facebook, which was followed by him kissing and touching her on several occasions.

He then carried out a more serious sexual assault on the girl.

Her mother discovered what was going on after logging on to her Facebook account, which showed the contact Blaylock had been having with the girl.

“What she saw horrified her,” Mr Thackray said.

The girl explained what had happened to her when questioned by her mother, who then contacted police.

The other girl suffered a similar experience, with Blaylock putting his arms around her, touching her, and trying to kiss her before committing a more serious sexual assault, during which he kept calling her “lovely”, the court heard.

Mr Thackray said: “The prosecution say he was grooming both girls, gradually building up the abuse from kissing to touching.”

Sentencing Blaylock, who denied any wrongdoing, Judge Peter Kelson QC said the abuse had a “profound” effect on the girls and had taken place after “prolonged grooming”.

Blaylock was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life.

March 2015

Man admits under-age sex with girls in Tain

A Inverness man has admitted having sex in Tain on two occasions with underage girls.

Ryan Duff, Oaks Court, befriended both girls on Facebook and sent them sexual messages before arranging to meet, Tain Sheriff Court heard today.

The 20-year-old admitted having sex with a 13-year-old at a wooded area on Tain links on one occasion between 23rd and 31st May, 2013.

He also pleased guilty to a second charge of having sex with another 13-year-old in a car parked at Hill of Tain on one occasion between 1st and 15th October, 2013.

Sentence was deferred until 28th April for the preparation of background reports.

Sheriff Richard MacFarlane said he would make a decision on that date on whether or not to place Duff on the Sex Offender Register.

March 2015

Wallasey man jailed for downloading child abuse images

A Wirral man who downloaded disgusting child abuse images despite having been on an intensive course to prevent such behaviour received a lengthy jail sentence today.

Andrew Contento was given a three year community order and had a Sexual Offences Prevention Order imposed in 2009 for downloading indecent images of children.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that conditions of the order included not possessing phones or other devices which could access the internet or take photographs.

Chris Taylor prosecuting said on October 23 last year he was stopped by police while driving in Bromborough and as he appeared nervous he was suspected of possessing drugs.

He was searched and none were found but he had two mobile phones and a police computer check revealed details of the SOPO banning such possession.

His home in Borough Road, Wallasey, was searched and a camera was found in his bedroom along with another mobile phone and adult porn DVDs. They also found a list of porn web sites, girls clothing and photographs of babies being bathed.

When the phones were analysed he was found to have downloaded a total of 303 child porn images and it was shown he had used them to access internet sites.

Mr Taylor said: “Asked if he had a problem he said ‘yes’ and admitted he needed help.”

Contento, 46, pleaded guilty to three offences of making indecent images, one of possessing such images and another of breaching the SOPO.

Imposing a four year two month sentence, comprising 32 months imprisonment with an extended licence of 18 months, Judge Brian Lewis said, “You pose a high risk of serious harm to the public and particularly pre-pubescent girls.”

He ordered him to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life and imposed a Sexual Harm Offences Order restricting his internet access.

Judge Lewis said that when he was sentenced in 2009 at Mold he had been dealt with sympathetically but he had gone on to commit further identical offences. “You have completely disregarded the provisions of the SOPO.”

John Ballam, defending, said that Contento has been in prison on remand for five months and has had time to reflect on his behaviour.

“He accepts he made a terrible decision and is ashamed of what he has done and accepts his punishment.”

He said that Contento’s mum had bought him a phone with a camera and internet access, which he should not have been in possession of but he lacked the strength to control himself.

Mr Ballam added: “He needs assistance and counselling.”

March 2015

Widnes man jailed for eight years for sexual offences against young girl

A WIDNES pervert has been caged for eight years for historic sexual abuse against a young girl including attempted rape.

Anthony Parton, 47, of Cunningham Road in Ditton, was sentenced at Chester Crown Court on Wednesday, March 11

The court said that charges included attempted rape, indecency with a child and indecent assault.

Alison Mutch, deputy chief crown prosecutor with Mersey-Cheshire Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), said that Parton ‘abused this woman for several years’.

She said: “Parton committed a series of extremely serious sexual offences on what was a very young girl, with no thought for her feelings at all or the impact it was having on her.

“She may not have fully understood what was happening but she knew it was wrong and felt powerless to do anything about it.

“I would like to thank her for her bravery in finally coming forward to tell the authorities what she had endured as a child. Parton has now been brought to justice and is now serving eight years in prison after pleading guilty to 14 offences including attempted rape and indecent assault.”

March 2015

Crewe paedophile jailed for grooming 12-year-old on-line

A paedophile has been jailed for three years after grooming a 12-year-old girl and keeping indecent images of her on his mobile phone.

Andrew Enjuanes, of Hawthorn Lane, Crewe, started talking to the minor via dating website Badoo in February 2012.

After initially swapping flirtatious messages, the 33-year-old requested the girl send him explicit photos in exchange for money, cigarettes and vodka.

Appearing at Chester Crown Court last Wednesday (March 11), Enjuanes pleaded guilty to inciting a female under the age of 13 into engaging in sexual activity and making and possession of indecent images.

The court heard how the girl’s parents noticed a change in her behaviour both at home and at school, which prompted them to check her mobile phone. They discovered messages of a sexual nature from recipient ‘Andrew E’ and a number of images, which the girl had sent to the defendant via the instant messaging app Kik.

They immediately went to the police.

Further examination of the girl’s phone and personal laptop revealed an ‘enormous amount’ of salacious conversation over the course of a 16-month period, illustrating the defendant’s attempts to solicit indecent images in exchange for money.

A total of 24 images were sent, including indecent images of the victim.

Following his arrest on July 5, 2013, Enjuanes admitted that the pair had met up four times but denied any physical contact had taken place

Enjuanes said he remained in his car on all but one occasion.

In a statement read out by Miss Maria Masselis, prosecution, the victim spoke of her ordeal, explaining how she now suffers from panic attacks and flash backs.

She said: “I feel fearful and I struggle to form new relationships, I’ve had thoughts of self-harm and don’t feel I have had a chance to lead a normal teenage life. I just want to go back to how I used to be.”

The girl’s mother, in a statement, described how she has watched her ‘happy, excitable and beautiful’ daughter grow ‘secretive, quiet and withdrawn’.

Sentencing Enjuanes to three years imprisonment Judge Roger Dutton said the defendant knew exactly what he was after and continued to pursue the girl even after her age became apparent.

He explained: “You engineered a situation where a girl who had unadvisedly put herself into a dating website, was contacted by you on a regular basis with a view in the end, to make her exhibit herself in a sexual way. It is quite plain that you had no answer to your sexual urges and your responsibility to your family was not in line with your own sexual satisfaction.

“I have thought very carefully as to how to approach this, but it is my duty to do what is right and just.”

Enjuanes was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register.

Investigating police officer DC Scott Simmonds said: “The defendant used the internet to take advantage of a vulnerable victim for his own sexual gratification. This crime has had a lasting impact on the victim and I hope that the defendant admitting his guilt and serving time in prison will bring a degree of closure for them. I would strongly advise all parents to speak openly with their children about how to stay safe when using the internet. Anyone who has been subjected to this type of crime should feel confident that they will receive the support they need from the police and other agencies. Anyone with any information about this type of crime is urged to contact Cheshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”

“She doesn’t have to look over her shoulder”

The parents of the the victim say they can begin to rebuild as a family but the ‘hard work starts now’. The mother of the girl said her daughter has been serving her own sentence and the mental scars caused by her ordeal will stay with her forever. The girl’s father added, it’s closure for his daughter because ‘she feels like she has been believed’.

He said: “There is no end to it, there is no winners, no celebration, we don’t sit here and get any satisfaction about the fact that he has gone to prison. Our daughter has now said she can walk down the street for the next couple of years without looking over her shoulder. The mental torture for her is frightening and it is only her who experiences it but we live with it.”

The girl’s parents want this case to act as the catalyst for other youngsters to come forward if they have been through a similar traumatic experience. They stressed that parents need to be more vigilant when it comes to checking their children’s mobile phone especially during their early teens.

The girl’s mother added: “If there is someone out there that has been through the same thing, they need to understand that it is not their fault Please don’t just trust what your child says, the most vulnerable age is 11-13-year-olds. When we speak with our daughter she not only has flash backs of what happened, she also has flash forwards of what could have happened. I cannot praise the police and DC Scott Simmonds enough, anyone else that has gone through a similar situation must come forward.”

March 2015

Victim speaks as child sex offender is jailed: “You need to overcome your instincts”

A child sex assault victim made an emotional plea directly to his attacker in court today – imploring him to undergo rehab to stop him damaging other young lives.

The victim, now a man in his early twenties, was a boy aged under 12 when he was molested by serial sex offender Paul Clarke at a house in Witcombe in the late 1990s.

At the time of the offence Clarke, now 52, already had a past conviction for a sex assault on his record and he later went on to commit more similar offences in Alicante, Spain, where he was jailed for four years two months in October 2012.

It was when Clarke was returned to the UK to complete his Spanish sentence at Wandsworth jail under an EU repatriation scheme that he was arrested and charged with the Witcombe offence

At Gloucester Crown Court today Clarke, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting the boy between August 1997 and August 2000 and he was jailed for 21 months.

During the hearing his victim went into the witness box to describe the effect the offence has had on his life ever since and he became tearful as he turned to Clarke in the dock and spoke directly to him.

“I would like you to understand the damage and impact this has had on me and consider engaging in a rehab programme.” he said. “You need to overcome your instincts because of the damage you are inflicting on other people. It is very profound.”

Clarke looked back at the man and nodded.

The victim told Judge William Hart that for years after the assault he suppressed it in his mind.

But in more recent years it had started to have a ‘deeply traumatic effect on my life,’ he said,

It had even affected his university degree course, disrupting his final exams and causing him to defer them for a year, he added.

“In the University library one day I read about paedophilia and had a panic attac. On another occasion a friend of mine made a joke about paedophiles and I erupted in tears as all the old emotions came to the surface along with a new found fear that because I had been abused it would lead to me wanting to abuse. “

He said he had been ‘fragile, anxious, lacking in self confidence’ for years as a result of the offence.

“I feel it had an effect on me throughout my adult life,” he said. “I have done a lot to overcome it with meditation but I’m sure I will have to deal with it again in years to come.”

Prosecutor Jonathan Stanniland said the assault happened when Clarke was visiting the house.

“The defendant was in the living room,” said Mr Stanniland. “He asked the boy to come over to him on the pretext of a playing a tickling game. He put the boy on his lap, pulled down his trousers and pants and ran his hands over his bottom.

“Mercifully, the abuse ended there.

“The boy finally told his mother about it in 2006 and then spoke to the police.”

Mr Stanniland said Clarke had a 1990 conviction for taking indecent photos of children and in January 1996 for three offences of indecent assault on a boy under 14 he received 30 months jail in Portsmouth.

He then moved to France and Spain and on 5th Oct 2012 was jailed for four years two months at Alicante Provincial Court for assaulting a 13 year old boy, possessing indecent photos of children and causing or procuring cruelty to a child. He had been found to have 54,000 child porn images on his laptop.

Last September he was transferred to Wandsworth prison from Spain and was then charged with the Witcombe offence.

Gareth James, defending, submitted that the offence was ‘relatively minor’ although he accepted it had greatly affected the victim.

“It is enlightening to hear the victim speak to the court of the effect it has had on him rather than seeing it on paper in black and white,” he said. “It brings it home to all of us.

“My client says, however, that he cannot recall the incident although he does not dispute at all what the victim has said.”

As well as the jail term, Clarke was ordered to sign the sex offender register for ten years and an indefinite sexual harm prevention order was made against him.

March 2015

Pervert admits sexual activity with child & distributing photos of the girl, who was aged under 13

A pervert has been told he faces jail after admitting sexual activity with a girl.

Barry Saunders, 40, of Twyford Avenue, Great Wakering, admitted four charges at Basildon Crown Court on Friday.

He admitted two charges of sexual activity with a child, one of taking indecent photos of her and one of distributing photos of the girl, who was aged under 13.

The offences took place in Southend on November 15 last year.

The indecent images taken by Saunders were found by police in a room at the Grosvenor Hotel, in Grosvenor Road,Westcliff.

Saunders faces a further charge of making indecent photos and one charge of engaging in sexual activity in front of a child.

Gareth Hughes, prosecuting, indicated the Crown Prosecution Service was likely to accept Saunders’ pleas, but the mother of the victim would have to be consulted first.

Mr Hughes suggested the action of sending indecent photos may have been premeditated.

He said: “This might be something that is said to happen in an opportunistic way, but when one looks at distribution it is clear Saunders was able to send the indecent image to somebody who had an interest in this sort of activity.

Saunders has been released on bail to appear for sentencing at Southend Crown Court, on April 20.

He must not contact any child and must attend meetings as requested by probation officers.

March 2015

Pervert jailed for making indecent images of children

A man from Wing has been jailed for making and distributing indecent images of children.

Colin Greer, 56, of Moorlands, was sentenced at Aylesbury Crown Court on Monday to a total of 33 months in prison.

He had been found guilty of three counts of making indecent images of children, one count of distributing the same, and one count of possession of an extreme pornographic image.

Greer will also be on the sex offenders register for ten years and also has a sex offenders prevention order.

March 2015

Perverted former Lib Dem councillor banned from having unsupervised contact with under 16s

A disgraced former Liberal Democrat councillor who behaved like “a predatory paedophile” has been given a suspended prison sentence for sexual offences against a schoolgirl.

Bob Thompson, 60, who represented the Elland ward, hit the headlines in 2007 following his whirlwind marriage to a Gambian hotel worker half his age, but today (Thursday) his barrister said his fall from grace had left him socially isolated.

And the judge branded him “disgraceful, dirty and disgusting.”

Camille Morland, for Thompson, said following publicity about the sexual allegations windows of his then home were broken by members of the local community and he now lived alone in rented accommodation with only his three rescue dogs for company.

Bradford Crown Court heard today that Thompson, now of The Crescent, Stainland, was caught stroking the 13-year-old girl’s feet while she was asleep and also made sexual remarks to the teenager and her young boyfriend.

Prosecutor Sophie Drake said Thompson asked the girl, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, to remove her knickers in exchange for a bacon sandwich and later said if she and her boyfriend wanted to have sex he would watch them.

The complainant, who is not a member of Thompson’s family, told police about the allegations back in 2013 and when Thompson was questioned he denied doing anything sexual and suggested that the remark about the knickers was said jokingly.

Thompson, who had no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to a charge of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity at an early stage, but he only admitted another similar offence and a charge of sexual activity with a child on the day the complainant was to go to court for his trial.

In her victim impact statement the complainant said the offending had left her feeling upset and unsafe and she had been very nervous about coming to court.

Miss Morland said Thompson accepted that he had brought the situation on himself, but she pointed out that the offending took place over a short period of time.

She submitted that Thompson had said things that should not have been said, but the only incident of physical contact had involved touching the girl’s feet.

“This process has been a humbling and frightening process for him,” said Miss Morland. “A suspended sentence would serve to frighten him and remind him that he needs to curb his behaviour in the future.”

The court heard that Thompson suffered from various medical problems and Miss Morland said he would “flounder” in custody.

“Frankly he worries about his rescue dogs and what will happen to them if he goes into custody and he loses his tenancy,” she added.

Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC expressed dismay at Thompson’s continued lack of understanding about what he had done and the fact that he only admitted two of offences on the day of his trial.

Miss Morland said Thompson had suffered a long fall from grace and had difficulty confronting what was alleged against him.

Judge Durham Hall described Thompson as “acting like a predatory paedophile” at the time of the offending and said the complainant was a person of resolve and strength.

“She uses this word that you make her cringe when she thinks about what you did to her,” the judge told Thompson.

The judge said Thompson’s behaviour had been “disgraceful, dirty and disgusting”, but his medical ailments meant he would be eaten alive in prison.

“The local community has already taken the law into its own hands and it is for that reason judges must pass serious sentences in appropriate cases because people are rightly outraged when their children are preyed upon by perverts,” said the judge.

“The probation service cannot offer me a long sexual offender treatment programme because of your inability to confess to and confront your weakness,” he told Thompson.

“That, of course, in this case is exactly the order that I should impose and I cannot and it is all your fault.”

Instead the judge sentenced Thompson to two years in prison, suspended for two years, but he will be supervised by the probation service for 24 months.

Judge Durham Hall imposed a year-long electronically-tagged curfew which means Thompson must be at home between 6pm and 6am and he will now be subject to registration with the police as a sex offender for the next 10 years.

An indefinite sexual harm prevention order was also imposed which bans Thompson from having contact with the complainant and also prohibits him from having unsupervised contact with under 16s.

March 2015

Man jailed for rape and assault on girl, aged 14

A man from Blaenau Ffestiniog has been jailed for six years after being convicted of raping and assaulting a schoolgirl.

Leon Thomas (pictured), now 23, of Camlyn, denied rape, sexual assault and ABH on the victim when he was aged 18, but he was convicted at an earlier hearing.

Judge Rhys Rowlands, sitting at Mold Crown Court, ordered him to register with the police as a sex offender for 10 years.

A 10-year restraining order was also made under which he is to have no contact with the victim or her family, or write anything about her on social media.

The judge said he had considered whether to sentence the defendant as a dangerous offender but had decided not to do so.

He said that the offences were committed against a girl who was aged 14.

The judge described Thomas as controlling, she had acted very much under his influence, and he had taken advantage of her.

He said the aggravating feature was that he had penetrative sex with a child.

The rape occurred when she woke up to find him having intercourse with her and failed to stop when she told him to.

But, he took into account that he was now being sentenced for his behaviour five years ago.

The court heard that, at the time, he had been an arrogant young man who had been completely indulged by his own family.

He had been “wholly self-centred” and did not care less about the young victim.“Whether you have grown up since I don’t know. But the sentence will give you plenty of time to reflect on your behaviour,” he said.

John Wyn Williams, defending, said that the pre-sentence report did not make happy reading.

He maintained his position that he was innocent.

There was a different side to him and was fortunate to have the support of his family and girlfriend.

He was a very young man at the time, said Mr Williams.

March 2015

Bristol man jailed after being convicted of child sex offences

A 59-year-old man has been jailed for 10 years today (19/3) after being convicted of a series of child sex offences dating back to the 1970s.

John Solan, of Stapleton Road, Bristol, was convicted of eight offences following a trial at Bristol Crown Court, including charges of indecency with a child and indecent assault.

The offences were committed against a girl in the 1970s and 1980s mainly at properties in the Bristol area. The victim was three-years-old at the time the abuse started.

Investigating officer Det Con Emma George said: “John Solan is a manipulative and opportunistic offender who committed some truly awful crimes against a young girl over a number of years.

“The abuse has had a lasting impact on the victim, both emotionally and psychologically. She’s shown immense bravery in coming forward to tell us what happened to her and for giving evidence in court.

“The abuse in this case started in the early 1970s so I hope this conviction shows how seriously we take reports of sexual abuse, no matter how long ago the offences were committed.

“If you’ve been a victim of sexual abuse, you can put your trust in us. You will be listened to and believed.”

March 2015

Man jailed for 20 years for historic sex offences in Lichfield

A SEX offender has been jailed for 20 years following a lengthy investigation into crimes committed in the 1980s.

David Edwards, 58, of Oswin Place, Walsall, formerly of Lichfield, was sentenced at Stafford Crown Court on Monday after a six week trial.

At a previous hearing in February 2014 Edwards admitted one count of possessing extreme pornographic material.

He was found guilty of a further 22 offences: 15 counts of indecent assault, one count of rape, two counts of indecency with a child, one count of voyeurism and three counts of taking indecent photographs of children.

The case follows a lengthy investigation by Staffordshire Police’s Criminal Investigation Department into complaints of offences committed in the 1980s in Lichfield.

Investigating officer DC Joanne Kirkland said: “We welcome this outcome and hope it brings some form of closure to the victims, who I’d like to commend for their bravery in coming forward to report these offences, and giving evidence in court.

“This result should send a positive message to victims that police, and the Criminal Prosecution System (CPS), take reports of sexual abuse extremely seriously, no matter how long ago the offence happened, and we will always carry out a thorough and sensitive investigation.

“We are determined to bring offenders to justice while ensuring victims are offered continued support. Anyone who has suffered sexual abuse, or who suspects it, is encouraged to report it by calling us on 101.”

March 2015

Pervert who sent explicit messages to 13-year-old girl has been cleared to work with children again

A former school support worker who was jailed after exchanging explicit text messages with a 13-year-old girl has been cleared to work with children again.

Shaun Alexander Burford was caged for six months in 2009 when he was employed at Christ Church School, now The John Wallis Academy, after sending a video of himself having a threesome to a 13-year-old girl and encouraging her to text him a topless photo of herself.

Burford, now 46, was made to sign the sex offenders’ register and was also hit with a sexual offences prevention order (SOPO) and an order disqualifying him from working with children or vulnerable adults.

However, this week, the former soldier and father appeared at London’s Appeal Court where top judges overturned the ban after deciding Burford was no longer a threat.

Judge Simon Bourne-Arton QC said Burford had been depressed and drinking heavily at the time and had later taken steps to distance himself from the teenager.

He said Burford, of Coombe Valley Road, Dover, was a “good father” and a respected figure and he had collected numerous references testifying to his good character.

Overturning the ban, Judge Bourne-Arton, sitting with Lord Justice Pitchford and Mr Justice Haddon-Cave, said there was “no material” indicating Burford was likely to commit further sex crimes against children.

Burford said he had “succumbed to temptation” when in the grip of a “personal crisis”, the judge said.

He added: “Are we satisfied that he will commit further offences against children? There is no material before us to allow us to come to such a conclusion. The disqualification order will be quashed.”

Burford was working in a pastoral role at the school when he received a text message from a girl on Christmas Eve 2007 telling him: “Have a great Christmas.”

The conversation became intimate and they both admitted being bisexual before the video and photo were exchanged.

At Maidstone Crown Court in June 2009 Burford admitted causing a child to watch a sexual act and to engage in sexual activity.

Kent County Council, on behalf of Christ Church School, confirmed a police Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check, the forerunner to today’s Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), was carried out into Burford’s background when he joined the school.

July 2009

Ashford school worker Shaun Burford jailed for sex offences

A school pastoral support worker has been jailed for six months for sex offences with a teenage girl.

Shaun Burford was told by a judge he regarded his case as exceptional but added it was not so exceptional that he could suspend the sentence.

Maidstone Crown Court heard the 41-year-old married father was promoted to team leader of pupil services at Christ Church School in Ashford.

Caroline Knight, prosecuting, said Burford’s first duty was to “demonstrate the devotion of the school’s Christian ethos”.

Burford, whose wife Angela was head of history at the school, received a text from a girl, aged 13, on Christmas Eve 2007 telling him: “Have a great Christmas.”

“The conversation moves on to being sexually explicit and culminates in him encouraging her to send photographs of herself,” said Miss Knight. “They talk about their sexuality.

“He talks about being bisexual and she says she is too.

“He says he can’t stop thinking about her and encourages her to send indecent photographs of herself.

“He said he loved them even better in lingerie.”

The prosecutor said the former soldier and the girl continued to talk on MSN messaging and he sent her an obscene video clip of him having sex.

The girl sent back a photo of her naked from the waist up. The images were discussed in explicit terms.

“She asked if the pictures were OK,” said the prosecutor. “He says: ‘Oh yes.’ She asked him if there was any particular one he liked.

“There was discussion about what he would like to do to her if they met.”

The matter was reported to the police and Burford was arrested.

Miss Knight said the girl had since been “completely off the register” and it had not been possible to take an impact

statement from her.
Burford, of Coombe Valley Road, Dover, admitted causing a child to watch a sexual act and causing a child to engage in sexual activity.

Leroy Redhead, defending, said as soon as Burford realised what he had got himself into, he tried to distance himself from the girl.

He had been drunk and depressed when he received the text. It was wrong to suggest he had targeted her, said Mr Redhead.

“He realises what he did was serious,” he said. “The offences started when he was at a low point in his life. He was drinking a lot and his guard was down.”

Mr Redhead said Burford went into the Army at the age of 17 and served his country proudly, including in Northern Ireland.

His daughters had written to the court stating he was a good father.

Urging Judge Jeremy Carey to impose a suspended sentence, he said Burford was full of remorse and regret.

“He was a citizen people looked up to,” he said. “He is on anti-depressants. He has lost the one thing in his life he loved a great deal. He loved the job.

“He loved working with children. His job was to encourage those getting off the rails to get back on the rails.”

Mr Redhead said Burford and his wife were back together and she was supporting of him. He had found a new job.

“Prison would be very difficult for him,” he added.

Ex-Army Sgt Paul Wainwright described Burford as “a man of great integrity”.

He added he was “stunned and shocked” when he heard about the offences.

Neighbour Kelly Cooper told the court she considered Burford a decent man. “I have three children and would not hesitate to leave any of them in his care,” she said.

March 2015

Convicted paedophile recalled to prison after breaking SOPO

A CONVICTED sex offender has been recalled to prison after it emerged he had been in contact in with young girls, having offered to help them build a rope swing.

Michael Lower, 64, was jailed in 2005 for serious sexual offences against a child or children.

He was given a five-year jail term with a ten-year extended licence period.

At Truro Crown Court last Tuesday, Elaine Hobson, for the prosecution, said that on October 4 police were called to a park in Saltash where Lower had been with his golden retriever, Bonzo

Lower, of Robartes Road, Bodmin, had spoken to three young girls, aged 8, 10 and 11, after one of them asked for help to mend a rope swing.

Ms Hobson said Lower had come out of some bushes and asked one of the girls to meet him in a private place the following Saturday.

“[He] yelled at the girl and told her not to tell anyone of this meeting,” said Ms Hobson.

He admitted breaching a sexual offences prevention order (SOPO) imposed on him in 2005.

That order banned him from being in the company of girls aged under 16 unsupervised.

Joanna Martin, for the defence, said Lower had been out of prison on licence for six years before he had breached the SOPO.

She said he had taken part in a sexual offences training programme in 2009 and had volunteered for a further training programme in prison.

She said: “He describes himself as feeling very angry with himself for having had a fairly innocent discussion with a young girl and taking it further and agreeing to help them build a new rope swing the following week. He is working with himself.”

The court heard that since the incident, his licence had been revoked and Lower had been recalled to prison.

Sentencing him to nine months’ imprisonment, Judge Simon Carr said Lower had been interacting with children in such a way that would lead anyone to worry about his intentions.

March 2015

Blacon man admits possession of indecent images of children

A man who was addicted to adult porn sites has pleaded guilty to having 235 indecent photographs of children on his computer.

Mark Barker, 45, of Egerton Road, Blacon, admitted one charge of possessing indecent photographs of a child and three charges of making indecent photographs of a child between September 2010 and June last year at a hearing at Chester Magistrates Court on Thursday (March 19).

The offences came to light when police received intelligence that an IP address had been downloading indecent images.

Officers executed a search warrant at Barker’s address and seized his laptop, which was then sent for analysis.

Evidence was uncovered that Barker had searched for the images and had attempted to erase photos.

The court heard that Barker told police he had been addicted to websites featuring adult pornography and accepted that he had a problem.

He told them he did not know why he had downloaded the images and said he had no sexual interest in children.

Barker will be sentenced at Chester Magistrates Court on April 13.

He will remain on conditional bail until then.

March 2015

Social worker guilty of possession of ‘extreme’ animal porn portraying sex acts involving eels, a horse and a large fish

Pornographic videos portraying animals including eels, a horse and a large fish involved in sex acts were discovered on the phone of a social worker from Slough, a court has heard.

Clayton Chigoya was found guilty yesterday of five counts of possessing extreme pornographic images showing acts of intercourse with animals and two counts of possessing indecent images of children, following a three-day trial at Reading Crown Court.

The jury heard on Wednesday that police had visited the 47-year-old’s home in Gatewick Close on July 31, 2013.

Acting on information that a telephone registered to Chigoya had received indecent images of children, they seized 19 electrical devices from the property.

Among the items taken was a damaged HTC phone which contained 404 videos on its memory card.

Seven of these videos, which were in the form of WhatsApp messages, contained pornographic videos portraying sex acts with animals.

Two of them also depicted sexual scenes with children as young as three years old.

Chigoya claimed he had never seen any of the seven videos when they were shown to him by police, but did admit to the court he had previously watched animal sex videos.

“They were sent on my WhatsApp. When I saw them, I deleted them but not on this particular phone we are talking about,” he told the court.

“I have never in my life requested any videos with animals. It is not because you want to watch it or request it, it is just sent around.”

Prosecuting, Russell Pine told the court two of the animal sex videos had also been forwarded on to other numbers from Chigoya’s phone.

He said: “You were part of a group of people who had a similar interest in these sorts of videos weren’t you?”

He added: “Is it possible you watched them and thought they were a little interesting and maybe a little bizarre but no harm in it?”

“I will deny this with all my heart,” replied Chigoya, who blamed his faulty phone for receiving and sending messages he claimed he had no idea about.

Chigoya was suspended from his job as a social worker, which involved him working with vulnerable adults and children, on August 5 2013 by the Health and Care Professions Council, following his arrest.

No other indecent images were recovered from any of the other devices taken from Chigoya’s home.

The father-of-three will be sentenced at the same court on May 8.

March 2015

Child rapist sentenced to 17 years in jail for seven years of despicable crimes

RAPIST John Dunne has been sentenced to 17 years in prison after admitting multiple offences of rape and sexual activity with a child over a period spanning seven years.

Dunne, 53, formerly of Swindon but who has been living at Lower Kewstoke, Weston-super-Mare, admitted the ‘appalling’ acts in court after giving no-comment interviews to police.

Swindon Crown Court heard yesterday how Dunne would dress his victim in adult underwear before forcing her to pose for him – saving photographs to his computer.

He would tell his young victim, who was seven when the abuse began at an address in Abbey Meads, not to tell anyone what was happening.

In total Dunne, who recently moved away from Swindon, admitted five charges representing successive rapes, sexual touching and penetration between 2004 and 2008, and 2010 and 2013, when the girl was aged between seven and 16.

Police were first alerted in September 2012 when the girl’s sister dialled 999, having heard what was going on.

Claire Marlow, prosecuting, said: “She was extremely upset and disclosed she had been sexually abused.

“When interviewed she said she could not remember when the abuse started, but she was very little.

“He would touch her and make her touch him. He would put adult underwear on her and take photographs of her posing in it. He would tell her not to tell anybody.”

Paul Trotman, defending Dunne, said his client could not remember what he had done.

“He gives a somewhat bizarre account of why he is unable to recall these events,” he said.

“He tells me he went abroad to a Caribbean island, where he picked up hepatitis. He spent three weeks in hospital and had treatment for a considerable time.

“He does not have an understanding as to why he committed these offences. One of the points raised is he has never said sorry. If bridges can be mended he would like to apologise.”

Mr Trotman said Dunne’s family in Thailand would now lose the £500 monthly income he provided.

Judge Tim Mousley QC, sentencing Dunne, said: “The sexual abuse that you carried out upon her was extensive and prolonged over a number of years, and I am satisfied that you were motivated by your own perversions and depravity.

“What you did to her took place over a large part of her childhood – her formative years. It is quite clear to me you have done irreparable damage to her. She has embarked upon the long journey to recovery. Today is a major part of that process, but will not be the end.

“I can detect hardly any sign of remorse in you for what you have done, even now. It seems you are not really able to bring yourself to say sorry.”

Dunne was given 17 years for rape, 10 years for sexual assault of a child, and four years for sexual activity with a child, to run concurrently.

After the hearing the victim’s mother, who cannot be identified, said an apology would not be accepted.

“We are just numb, and still in a state of shock,” she said. “It makes you feel physically sick to sit and listen to what has happened. He has taken my child from me when he groomed her.

“No sentence is ever long enough, because in eight years he will be out and living his life again.

“An apology doesn’t mean anything now, and I will never forgive him.”

March 2015

Caernarfon man jailed for sexual attacks on teenage girl

A CAERNARFON man who sexually assaulted a teenage girl more than 20 years ago has been sentenced to four years behind bars. 

David Hughes-Evans was sentenced at Caernarfon Crown Court in relation to a number of sexual attacks on the girl that took place in the Caernarfon area between 1989 and 1991. 

Reporting Officer DC Bev Makanjee at Caernarfon CID said: “I hope the sentence will go some way to reassure the victim who showed great strength of character in coming forward, standing up to the perpetrator and ensuring that justice was served. 

“It is important to reassure victims that regardless of how long ago any crime was committed we will do all we can to see that justice is served and the perpetrator brought to justice. 

“North Wales Police takes matters of this nature very seriously and so it is reassuring to see this reflected the sentence passed out.” 

April 2007

Vice shame of convicted pervert

A convicted child rapist has been caught kerb-crawling on Teesside.

Anthony Longstaff, 20, from Sunderland, was fined at Teesside Magistrates’ Court for picking up a prostitute in November last year.

He was charged with soliciting the woman after vice cops spotted him with her in Cannon Park Way, Middlesbrough.

In March Longstaff was spared jail after a court heard he had sex with a 12-year-old girl.

Newcastle Crown Court heard Longstaff met the schoolgirl at the seafront in South Shields.

Just minutes after meeting the pair went to a secluded – but public spot – where they had sex.

After the girl’s family discovered what had happened, Longstaff was traced and arrested.

Longstaff, admitted the rape of a girl under 13.

Judge Guy Whitburn accepted the girl had been a “willing participant” and that Longstaff believed the girl to be of consensual age.

He sentenced Longstaff to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years and to a 36-month community order. Longstaff was told he must register as a sex offender for 10 years.

At the Teesside Magistrates hearing last week, Longstaff was fined £250 with £25 costs after admitting soliciting a female.

March 2015

Spared jail over sex with girl, 12

A MAN has been spared jail after having sex with a 12-year-old girl.

Anthony Longstaff (20) met the youngster while hanging around the seafront in South Shields with pals.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how Longstaff and the youngster sloped off from the group and had sex.

After the girl’s family discovered what had happened Longstaff was traced and arrested.

Longstaff, of Clementina Close, Hendon, Sunderland, admitted rape at an earlier hearing.

Defence barrister Tony Hawks told the court how the 12-year-old looks a lot older than she is.”

Judge Guy Whitburn sentenced Longstaff to 12 months imprisonment suspended for two years with treatment and programme requirements.

He will be the subject of a six-month curfew between 8pm and 6am.

He must register as a sex offender for 10 years.

The judge said; “It seems in the circumstances there is an exceptional and unusual background to take into account.

“It seems to me that it is obvious the purpose of this legislation is to

protect young girls from themselves.

“It seems to me you acted with a degree of casual recklessness which is to be deplored.

“It is only because of the exceptional background in this case I have come to the view I have eventually decided upon.”