Tag: child sex abuse

Paedophile Jailed for 18 Years for Sexual Abuse

Posted on June 19, 2017 by - Sexual Abuse

A man has been jailed for eighteen years after he pleaded guilty to the sexual abuse of two young girls over a five year period.

Sexual abuse – guilty plea

Dean Manning, of Congleton in Cheshire, pleaded guilty to 20 charges relating to sexual exploitation and ill-treatment at Cambridge Crown Court yesterday.

The 49 year old pleaded guilty to 12 counts relating to the rape, attempted rape and other sexual abuse of the two children. He also admitted six counts of inciting children to engage in sexual activity, and a further two counts of causing unnecessary suffering through ill-treatment.

Sentencing

Manning was handed 20 concurrent jail terms of at least four years each of his crimes. He was given a 26 year sentence, with an additional eight years on license as well as the eighteen year jail term. The paedophile will have to serve at least twelve years in prison before he is eligible for parole.

Judge David Farrell QC, also ordered Manning to sign the sex offenders register for life, and he was made subject to a life-long sexual harm prevention order restricting his internet usage. Furthermore, Manning had to pay a victim surcharge.

Praising the victims’ bravery in coming forward, DI Lynda Coates, from the joint child protection investigation team, said:

“This sentence reflects the seriousness of Manning’s crimes and the devastating impact his actions have had on his victims.

“His abuse of young girls spanned over a number of years, and his victims have been incredibly brave in coming forward and speaking to police.

“I believe Manning still represents a significant risk to girls so I welcome the lengthy sentence that he has been given, which will protect the public from further harm.

“If you have been a victim of sexual abuse, we have dedicated specialist officers who can support you and I would urge you to make contact with police.”

Sexual assault & abuse compensation claims – expert advice

If you have been affected by any instance of physical sexual assault or abuse or by any instance of non-physical sexual abuse, contact us today. We offer expert advice on sexual abuse claims, and we guarantee your confidentiality at all times. For further information, and to discover how we could help you, begin a conversation with our experienced and friendly team. Call 0800 888 6 888 or email .

Source: The Comet

Fred Talbot Jailed for Historic Sex Offences

Posted on June 15, 2017 by - Sexual Abuse

Former TV weatherman Fred Talbot has been jailed for a total of four years for historic sex offences.

Historic sex offences

The 67 year old was a biology teacher at a Manchester school at the time of the offences. Talbot sexually assaulted the boys on various camping trips to Scotland. The attacks took place in two different locations – one near Moffat in southern Scotland, and one on the Caledonian Canal in Inverness. The offences took place between 1978 and 1981 and were against boys aged fifteen to seventeen.

Trial

During his trial, the court heard from a number of witnesses – all men now in their 50s – who spoke of how Talbot abused his position of trust.

One man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said he was sexually assaulted after a trip to a pub had left him ‘very much worse for wear’. Another victim told the court he was sexually assaulted by Talbot on an excursion to the Caledonian Canal in 1979. He described the attack as having left him ‘petrified’.

Ian Brown, 54, former front man of Manchester band the Stone Roses, also gave evidence at the trial. Although not a victim of Talbot himself, he told the court how he would never forget how Talbot had invited one of his young friends to sleep in his tent on a school camping trip.

Sentencing

Sentencing Talbot at Lanark Sheriff Court, Sheriff Nikola Stewart told the former ITV presenter he had taken advantage of the innocence of his victims.

Talbot was jailed for a total of four years after being charged with seven historic sex offences. His sentence will commence on 14 August, after he has finished serving a previous five-year jail term for the indecent assault of two 14-year-old boys.

Sexual assault & abuse compensation claims – expert advice

If you have been affected by any instance of physical sexual assault or abuse or by any instance of non-physical sexual abuse, contact us today. We offer expert advice on sexual abuse claims, and we guarantee your confidentiality at all times. For further information, and to discover how we could help you, begin a conversation with our experienced and friendly team. Call 0800 888 6 888 or email .

Source: BBC News

Child Sexual Abuse in Football | 250 Potential Suspects

Posted on April 19, 2017 by - Children's Accidents, Sexual Abuse

Close up image of a football on a football pitch

Officers investigating child sexual abuse within football in the UK have now identified over 250 potential suspects and 560 victims.

Operation Hydrant

The inquiry, Operation Hydrant, is being co-ordinated by the National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC) and involves around 311 football clubs, across all leagues.

The latest update involving the inquiry came in January and at the time the number of potential suspects was 184, while the number of victims stood at 526.

According to the inquiry, the victims that have come forward are aged between four and twenty years, at the time of the abuse. Furthermore, 96% of victims are male.

Child sexual abuse in football

Last year a support hotline was set up after a number of ex-footballers – some of which with professional careers – reported they had been sexually abused as children by coaches and scouts involved in the game.

Since the hotline was set up, police forces all across the UK have reported an increased number of calls from people offering information, as well as victims.

However, this child sexual abuse scandal is not just confined to football. The NPCC has stated that 25 referrals to Operation Hydrant involve sports other than football. The inquiry has received complaints from victims of child sexual abuse involved in martial arts, rugby, golf, tennis, sailing, swimming, wrestling and gymnastics.

The Football Association has also launched an independent review into its handling of child sexual abuse allegations in the years prior to 2005. Clive Sheldon QC is leading the independent review.

Sexual abuse & assault compensation claims – expert advice

If you have been affected by any instance of physical sexual abuse or by any instance of non-physical sexual abuse, contact us today. We offer expert advice on sexual abuse claims, and we guarantee your confidentiality at all times. For further information, and to discover how we could help you, begin a conversation with our experienced and friendly team. Call 0800 888 6 888 or email .

Source: BBC News

Vicar Admits Possessing 179 Child Sex Abuse Images

Posted on March 30, 2017 by - Sexual Abuse

An Essex vicar has recently admitted to being in possession of almost 200 images of child sex abuse.

Child sex abuse images

Chelmsford Crown Court heard how Reverend Peter Low downloaded an assortment of images, some of which depicted the most serious category of child sex abuse.

In total, the 65 year old admitted to possessing 179 images depicting child sex abuse. 55 of those images were classed as indecent, nine of which were said to be at the most serious level. A further 124 images of child sex abuse in the Reverend’s possession were classed as ‘prohibited’.

Guilty plea

Low pleaded guilty to three counts of possessing indecent images of children. He also pleaded guilty to one count of possessing prohibited images of children.

Low, a clergyman of the United Benefice of Heybridge with Langford in Essex, is due to be sentenced on 2 May 2017. As part of his bail conditions he must have no contact with under 18s, unless supervised.

Response from Diocese of Chelmsford

The Diocese of Chelmsford said it was ‘appalled’, adding that online abuse of children “is not tolerated by the church”.

A spokesman for the Diocese went on to say that Low remained suspended from all his duties as a vicar and will face investigation after sentencing. The spokesman added:

“The diocese is appalled that a clergyman has fallen so far short of the standards expected by the church.

“The diocese strives to uphold the highest standards in safeguarding policy, training, practice and disciplinary action.

“The online abuse of children destroys childhoods and devastates society.

“It is not tolerated by the church.”

Sexual abuse claims – expert advice

If you have been affected by any instance of physical sexual abuse or non-physical sexual abuse, contact us today. We offer expert advice on sexual abuse and assault claims, and we guarantee your confidentiality at all times.

For further information, and to discover how we could help you, begin a conversation with our experienced and friendly team. Call 0800 888 6 888 or email .

Paediatrician Jailed over Child Sex Abuse Images

Posted on March 28, 2017 by - Sexual Abuse

A North Devon paediatrician has been jailed for the distribution of films and images containing the most severe child sex abuse.

Police raid in 2015

47 year old Dr Jonathon Walsh was arrested in 2015 after police raided his home. Officers from the child exploitation unit seized his computer and a memory stick during the search. No child sex abuse images were found at the time, however there was significant evidence that he had been accessing child sex abuse material, as well using file wiping software.

Child sex abuse images

Walsh, a respected consultant paediatrician in the children’s and adolescent services department of the Northern Devon Healthcare Trust, was sacked from his job after admitting 17 charges relating to child sex abuse images. The charges included nine counts of distributing indecent images of children, as well as six counts of making them.

Exeter Crown Court heard how Walsh told his solicitors he downloaded the content because he was ‘bored’ with his job.

The court also heard how none of the material related to patients at the North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple. However, the vast majority of the footage related to ‘Category A’ images – the most serious of its kind – and some videos were several hours long.

Sentencing

Judge Geoffrey Mercer told him:

“Over a period of at least some months, the precise period is unclear, you were involved in downloading and distributing extreme movies and images portraying sexual abuse of children and you went to considerable lengths to try and conceal what it was you were doing. You are 47 years old and a man of good character and I have read a number of references provided by people on your behalf who speak very highly of you.

“You have practised as a paediatrician for a number of years. To state that your sexual interest in children, which outlines these offences, causes real concern in relation to someone in your position is a massive understatement. But it needs to be clearly understood that there was no offending in the context of your work and these offences were non contact offences.

“Your career is now, of course, at an end. To quote from you from one of your letters you have written to me ‘through my actions I have lost my job, my career and my reputation and caused great harm to the ones I love.”

Walsh was sentenced to three years for each of the distributing offences. He was sentenced to a further 12 months for downloading offences. All sentences will run concurrently.

NSPCC response

An NSPCC spokesman said:

“Although it has been acknowledged that none of the images related to patients at the hospital, Walsh was working in a position of significant responsibility and trust when he comitted these crimes. Behind every image of online child abuse is a child who has suffered a horrific ordeal in the real world. It’s clear from Walsh’s extensive library that his only care was his own twisted gratification and it is right that he now faces the consequences of his actions.”

Response from Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust

George Thomson, medical director for Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust, added:

“This case has deeply shaken everybody at NDHT and we know it has been a shock to the community. We have worked closely with the police throughout this case and we know that none of these crimes relate to contact offences, and none of the images relate to patients at North Devon District Hospital.

“At the launch of the police investigation in September 2015 we took immediate action to exclude Dr Walsh from working at the Trust and informed the General Medical Council. Dr Walsh was dismissed with immediate effect when he was charged in June.”

Sexual abuse claims – expert advice

If you have been affected by any instance of physical sexual abuse or non-physical sexual abuse, contact us today. We offer expert advice on sexual abuse and assault claims, and we guarantee your confidentiality at all times.

For further information, and to discover how we could help you, begin a conversation with our experienced and friendly team. Call 0800 888 6 888 or email .

Source: devonlive.com

Sunderland Man Jailed for Illegal Images

Posted on November 9, 2016 by - Sexual Abuse

Image of a laptop and digital camera with several SD cars strewn about on a table

A 39 year old male from Sunderland has been jailed after police found him to be in possession of over one hundred illegal images and videos, just two months after he was handed a suspended sentence for a similar offence.

Previous offence

Christopher Hutchinson was arrested in October 2015 after a tip-off to police from his internet service provider. He was found to be in possession of around 174 indecent images and videos of children and a judge handed him a suspended sentence.

However just two months later, Hutchinson was found to have started another collection of disturbing images and films involving child abuse and people having sex with animals. The images and films, over one hundred in total, were stored on numerous SD cards and were only discovered when Hutchinson was arrested and searched over an unrelated offence.

Guilty plea

In court, Hutchinson pleaded guilty to making and possessing 40 movies and 37 still images of child abuse, many of which being in the most serious category.

He also pleaded guilty to possessing 25 films and images of extreme pornography involving animals.

Sentencing Hutchinson to two years in prison, Judge Tim Gittins told him:

“It cannot be said enough, the fact that these are images available on parts of the internet does not mean it is not an abuse by you of those children to download them and use them for your sexual gratification.”

The judge added that the fact the 39 year old had started a new collection within two months of being handed his last sentence showed ‘blatant disregard’ for the last court order.

Huthinson, who is already on the Sex Offenders Register and the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, has been assessed by the probation service as posing a “high risk of serious harm to young children by the commission of this sort of offence again”.

Sexual Abuse – Expert Advice

Hampson Hughes Solicitors specialises in directing sexual abuse claims in a considerate and compassionate manner. You will be given the direct-dial of your case handler, meaning that you will always be able to reach the person you need.

For an open and friendly conversation about your situation, and to find out how we can assist you relevant to your individual experience, call 0800 888 6 888 or email .

Source: Sunderland Echo

Man Receives Police Caution after Uploading Explicit Images

Posted on May 11, 2016 by - Sexual Abuse

A man who posted explicit images of his ex-girlfriends and other women on an American based pornography website has been let off with a caution.

Explicit Images Shared Online

Olly Whiting, 36, of Eastbourne, East Sussex, posted pictures of Charlotte White, an ex-girlfriend, online with a message encouraging those viewing the site to rape her because she ‘deserves it’. When posting the photos of White, Whiting added the caption: ‘100 to rape her … 20 to make her miscarry’, knowing that the 23 year old had previously suffered multiple miscarriages.

He also posted pictures of a 15 year old girl and also his sister, Charley Hough – now 21, wearing a school uniform at sixteen, asking people how much they would pay to rape her.

Images of a former colleague of Whiting, Nikki Elliot, also appeared on the site, including one image of her holding her young child, and were greeted with a barrage of explicit messages from various men.

Arrest & Police Caution

The four victims came forward & made complaints to police, after which Whiting was arrested. Following his arrest, police contacted the site’s owners and requested that the pictures, taken from the women’s’ personal Facebook accounts, be removed.

However, officers made the decision not to prosecute Whiting after he admitted to the offences and expressed remorse for his actions. Instead he was handed a caution for three counts of sending offensive, indecent, obscene or menacing messages and one count of revenge porn.

Caution Amounts to ‘slap on the wrist’

Whiting’s victims have now publically voiced their concern over the lack of a custodial sentence, likening the caution he received to a ‘slap on the wrist’. They have also accused police of not taking their complaints seriously.

His sister Charley has said that she is ‘honestly disgusted with the police’, she added:

‘Just the thought of Olly still walking around people having indecent thoughts makes me sick. I never want to see him again. He is evil.’

While his ex-girlfriend, Charlotte, who is also unsatisfied with Whiting’s punishment, said:

‘What Olly did makes me feel sick and violated.

‘They told me it doesn’t count as harassment because it wasn’t done directly to me, just through a website, but it still hurts.’

Whiting’s former colleague Nikki added:

‘It’s outrageous they let him go. He needs to be sectioned because he’s mentally disturbed.’

Response from Sussex Police

Inspector Rachel Barrow, from Sussex Police, said her force chose to issue Whiting with a caution due to his ‘remorse, the nature of the offences, and the likelihood of the caution being effective in preventing re-offending’.

Sexual Abuse Claims – Expert Advice

Hampson Hughes Solicitors specialises in directing sexual abuse claims in a considerate and compassionate manner. Our Abuse & Criminal Injuries Department is headed by Greg Neill – Greg is a member of the Association of Child Abuse Lawyers (ACAL).

For an open and friendly conversation about your situation, and to find out how we can assist you relevant to your individual experience, call 0800 888 6 888 or email

You will be given the direct-dial of your case handler, meaning that you will always be able to reach the person you need.

Source: Mail Online

7 Month Delay in Alerting Public of Missing Sex Offender

Posted on May 6, 2016 by - Sexual Abuse

Several police forces have recently come under fire for only now making public the fact that a man arrested for sex offences has skipped bail twice and is currently at large.

Police arrested 35 year old Michael Phillip Leaberry, of Ipswich, Suffolk, for child sex abuse offenses last year. However, he has not been seen since he skipped bail in September.

Police have only recently made it known to the public that Leaberry is a threat to children and that he is classed as missing.

Timeline of Events

• In September 2015 Leaberry skipped bail – he was due to attend a meeting in Flintshire, North Wales.
• Suffolk police described him as a missing person at the time.
• Leaberry was later found in Chelmsford, Essex living under the false name of Stephen Bugman.
• Leaberry skipped bail for the second time and has not been seen since.
• Another missing person search launched in November 2015 by police.
• The force has now admitted (May 2016) that they are yet to find him.

Demand for answers

An Ipswich MP is now demanding answers as to why it has taken so long for the police to alert locals of the threat this potential sex offender poses to the public. Mr Ben Gummer said:

‘There is clearly a considerable worry here. I will be seeking assurances from the chief constable that everything was done to inform the public in a legal and ethical way.’

Adding:

‘This is a very concerning case. It raises important issues that exist between keeping the public safe and ensuring a fair trial in the future – and also not impugning someone’s reputation who has not yet been convicted.

‘I think all of us, given the events of the last few months where accusations have been made that have proved to be false, need to be mindful of that.’

Leaberry has lived in numerous parts of the UK over the last few years, including North Wales, Cheshire, Norwich, Essex and Suffolk.

North Wales Police

Police have said that the delay in making this information public stemmed from the fact that they didn’t want to ‘undermine criminal proceedings’. A spokesperson for North Wales Police said:

‘Since Michael Leaberry has been missing, North Wales Police in conjunction with Suffolk Police have pursued all lines of enquiry to try and trace his whereabouts and safeguard the public.

‘These enquiries have continued since Michael Leaberry failed to answer bail.

‘Due to those enquiries proving negative, and after careful consideration that we do not undermine any subsequent criminal proceedings, we took the decision to release his full details and seek the support of the public.’

The force is now appealing for information and released the following statement this week:

‘North Wales Police are appealing for information to trace Michael Philip Leaberry, 35, who is wanted in connection with child sex offences in Flintshire.’

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Williams added:

‘I would also appeal to Mr Leaberry directly to come forward. Due to the nature of the [alleged] offences he is considered to present a risk of harm to children.’

Meanwhile, child protection charity the NSPCC has expressed concern over the situation. A spokesperson added:

‘The police often have to make complex operational decisions about whether to make a public appeal for information based on the intelligence they have about a suspect.

‘However, we’d expect serious consideration be given to alerting parents, schools and the wider community at the earliest possible opportunity when someone is thought to pose a risk to children.’

Sexual Abuse – Expert Advice

Hampson Hughes Solicitors specialises in directing sexual abuse claims in a considerate and compassionate manner. Our Abuse & Criminal Injuries Department is headed by Greg Neill – Greg is a member of the Association of Child Abuse Lawyers (ACAL).

For an open and friendly conversation about your situation, and to find out how we can assist you relevant to your individual experience, call 0800 888 6 888 or email .

You will be given the direct-dial of your case handler, meaning that you will always be able to reach the person you need.

Source: Mail Online

Teenager Avoids Jail for Stabbing Man Who Abused Her

Posted on April 27, 2016 by - Criminal Injuries, Sexual Abuse

A judge has refused to jail a teenage girl for stabbing a 56 year old man, because he sexually assaulted her when he was just eight years old.

Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC claimed it would be a disgrace to hand the child a custodial sentence, despite the girl stabbing the man in front of his own children. The judge also refused to charge the teenager with the mandatory victim surcharge, adding:

‘If anyone tries to force you, I will pay it myself.’

‘It would be a disgrace to send a survivor like you to prison.’

Attack

Bradford Crown Court heard how the girl went to the man’s house in November last year and stabbed him near his heart, severing a major artery, telling him:

‘I’m going to kill you.’

Afterwards she hugged her aunt, who was also at the property and said ‘Tell my mum I love her’, before handing herself into Trafalgar House police station. When she arrived at the station she told officers:

‘I’ve killed someone.’

The man was saved by the fast action of paramedics at the scene of the attack and later by surgeons at hospital. He required a blood transfusion and was kept in intensive care.

Let down by justice system

The court heard that the girl’s actions were due to the fact that she felt severely let down by the justice system. When the teenager (who cannot be named for legal reasons) was eight, she was sexually assaulted by the man (who also can’t be named for legal reasons). However, he was not jailed for the offence, instead he was handed a community order.

Originally the girl was charged with attempted murder; however the Crown accepted her guilty plea of causing grievous harm with intent.

According to the prosecution, the teenager was ‘entirely destroyed’ when her abuser was not handed a custodial sentence for his offences. Due to his denial the girl was forced to provide evidence in court and later she became paranoid that he would come after her. The court also heard how the girl was eventually excluded from school for poor behaviour.

Elyas Patel, mitigating, said:

‘Rightly or wrongly, this 15-year-old felt that the justice system had let her down.

‘With Your Honour at the wheel, the justice system will not fail her today.’

He added:

‘She was left deeply troubled and scarred. She acted in a few moments of despair and desperation.

‘This is an exceptional case which requires an exceptional course.

‘This deeply troubled and damaged child, bedevilled by low self-esteem, is crying out for help.’

Judge Durham Hall sentenced the girl to a two year Youth Rehabilitation Order with supervision, telling her:

‘You stabbed him in the region of his heart,

‘Mercifully, you did not kill him.

‘He was saved by excellent medical intervention and has made a pretty full recovery.’

The judge continued:

‘Why did you stab this man? Because when you were eight in 2009 he committed serious sexual offences against you.

‘He was treated by the courts, with hindsight, somewhat leniently but things have changed. Now there is condign punishment in cases of this nature, in accordance with the guidelines.’

Sexual Abuse – Expert Advice

Hampson Hughes Solicitors specialises in directing sexual abuse claims in a considerate and compassionate manner. Our Abuse & Criminal Injuries Department is headed by Greg Neill – Greg is a member of the Association of Child Abuse Lawyers (ACAL).

For an open and friendly conversation about your situation, and to find out how we can assist you relevant to your individual experience, call 0800 888 6 888 or email .

You will be given the direct-dial of your case handler, meaning that you will always be able to reach the person you need.

Source: Daily Mail

Ched Evans Wins Appeal against Rape Conviction

Posted on April 21, 2016 by - Sexual Abuse

Former Sheffield United footballer Ched Evans has won an appeal against his conviction for rape and now faces a retrial.

2012 Conviction

In 2012 Evans was found guilty of raping a 19 year old woman at a hotel in Rhyl, North Wales. The 27 year old was released from jail two and a half years later.

The ex-Welsh international admitted having sex with the woman, however he has always maintained his innocence, claiming the encounter was consensual.

Following a ten month investigation by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), responsible for investigating possible miscarriages of justice, it was revealed in October 2015 that new evidence had surfaced. Following the announcement of the new evidence, which the CCRC said ‘raises a real possibility the Court of Appeal may now quash the conviction’, Evans’ case was referred to the Court of Appeal.

Retrial

Lady Justice Hallet today announced that Evans’ conviction had been quashed, however he now faces a new trial and the case will be sent back to a Crown Court.

According to the judge, she and her fellow judges heard ‘fresh evidence’ during the appeal hearing last month. Lady Justice Hallet said:

‘In summary, we have concluded that we must allow the appeal and that it is in the interests of justice to order a retrial.’

She added:

‘The appellant will be retried on the allegation of rape.’

Details of the grounds of appeal cannot be reported for legal reasons.

Sexual Abuse – Expert Advice

Hampson Hughes Solicitors specialises in directing sexual abuse claims in a considerate and compassionate manner. Our Abuse & Criminal Injuries Department is headed by Greg Neill – Greg is a member of the Association of Child Abuse Lawyers (ACAL).

For an open and friendly conversation about your situation, and to find out how we can assist you relevant to your individual experience, call 0800 888 6 888 or email .

You will be given the direct-dial of your case handler, meaning that you will always be able to reach the person you need.

Source: Guardian; Daily Mail; Daily Mail