5 Stories, 5 Countries on Today's Austral-Asia P&P List

Stories from Australia, America, India, Cambodia and New Zealand feature a Cardinal, a Tennis star's father, an international school teacher and several Bollywood stars

Cardinal Pell arrives for Australian

child sex abuse court hearing

MELBOURNE: Vatican finance chief Cardinal George Pell arrived for his first appearance in an Australian court on historical sex abuse charges Wednesday, facing a huge media scrum ahead of the largely administrative hearing.

Vatican Treasurer Cardinal George Pell is surrounded by Australian police and members of the media as he arrives at the Melbourne Magistrates Court in Australia, July 26, 2017. — Reuters

The 76-year-old, a top advisor to Pope Francis, returned from Rome earlier this month to face multiple charges in Melbourne relating to offences allegedly committed decades ago, when he was a senior cleric in Australia.

Details of the charges have not been made public although police said they involved "multiple complainants". The former Sydney and Melbourne archbishop has always maintained his innocence.

Pell, looking sombre and frail, made no comment as he was escorted by a group of police through a crush of cameras, reporters and photographers outside the Melbourne Magistrates Court, which hears hundreds of cases a week for alleged crimes ranging from theft to murder.

Several photographers were knocked over in the melee.

He was not required to attend the hearing, which allows lawyers to discuss when the prosecution brief can be handed over and set out the next dates in what is expected to be a lengthy court process.

But Australia's most powerful Catholic opted to appear, having previously vowed to defend himself and clear his name after a two-year investigation led to him being charged on June 29.

"I am innocent of these charges, they are false. The whole idea of sexual abuse is abhorrent to me," he said in Rome last month.

Despite being unofficially considered the number three in the Vatican hierarchy, no special arrangements were in place at the court. He entered the building through the front door and was screened by security.

The pre-eminent cleric has been granted a leave of absence by the Pope, who has made clear the cardinal would not be forced to resign his post as head of the Vatican's powerful economic ministry.

The charges against him coincide with the final stages of Australia's Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sex Abuse, ordered in 2012 after a decade of pressure to investigate widespread allegations of institutional paedophilia.

The commission has spoken to thousands of survivors and heard claims of child abuse involving churches, orphanages, sporting clubs, youth groups and schools.

Pell appeared before the commission three times, once in person and twice via video-link from Rome. In one hearing, he admitted that he "mucked up" in dealing with paedophile priests in Victoria state in the 1970s. — AFP

Mark Philippoussis' father Nikolaos arrested in relation to child sex offences in the US

Marissa Calligeros

The father of retired Australian tennis player Mark Philippoussis has been arrested in the US on child sex charges

Nikolaos Philippoussis, 68, known as "Nick", was arrested in San Diego, on Tuesday local time.

In a statement, Lieutenant Greg Rylaarsdam from the San Diego Sheriff's Department said Mr Philippoussis was arrested at his residence in the suburb of Mira Mesa by detectives from the Child Abuse Unit.

He faces multiple counts of "lewd and lascivious acts with two minor victims".

"Philippoussis works as a personal tennis coach in Northern San Diego County and the alleged molestation victims took tennis lessons from him," Lieutenant Rylaarsdam said.

"The investigation is ongoing at this time."

San Diego Sheriff Bill Gore said detectives were "looking for more victims in a molestation case in the North County".

Philippoussis was booked into San Diego Central Jail on suspicion of committing lewd and lascivious acts on a person under age 14 and having sex with a child age 10 or younger, CBS8 reported.

He was being held on $US2.5 million bail pending arraignment, scheduled for Wednesday.

Detectives from @SDSheriff Child Abuse Unit looking

for more victims in a molestation case in the North County.

Call (858) 974-2310. pic.twitter.com/5ZpJRGqOVb

— San Diego Sheriff (@SDSheriff) July 25, 2017

Nick Philippoussis coached Mark during his professional tennis career, during which Mark reached a career-high singles ranking of world No.8.

He won two Davis Cup titles with Australia, in 1999 and 2003. He also reached the finals of the 1998 US Open and the 2003 Wimbledon tournament, but lost both matches.

In a Father's Day tribute on Instagram last September, Mark told his father: "Thank you for your support, guidance and always being there for me no matter what no questions asked. Love you."

"Love you to [sic] Son, Thanks," his father replied.

Mark Philippoussis

Although Nick had served as Mark's coach and mentor for much of his career, Mark opted to go it alone in 2006.

Reports at the time suggested that Mark was no longer prepared for Nick's "interfering ways".

However, Mark said that suggestions the pair was estranged were invasive and wrong.

"Let me tell you, that stuff's ridiculous," Philippoussis said after losing to world No.2 Rafael Nadal in the first round at Flushing Meadows in 2006.

Less than two months after going their separate ways, Philippoussis broke a three-year title drought with success in Newport, Rhode Island.

International School Official in Court Over Child Sex Abuse in Cambodia

BY PHAN SOUMY 

The deputy principal of a Phnom Penh international school was due in court for questioning today after he was arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing a 5-year-old student, according to a ministry official on Tuesday.

Mark Andrew Smith, 39, a U.K. national and father of two, would be sent to court today as police had found evidence of abuse, said Chou Bun Eng, secretary of state with the Interior Ministry and vice chair of the national committee to combat human trafficking.

Mr. Smith was arrested on Friday as he left Golden Bridge International School.

His girlfriend, Sem Malis, on Tuesday said she had spoken to him at the Interior Ministry’s anti-human trafficking department, where he is being held, but denied there was any evidence against him.

“It is very unclear…because there was not enough evidence,” to detain him, she said.

The arrest happened two days after a Cambodian woman, known as Viriya MC, live streamed a video on Facebook describing the girl’s alleged abuse.

Babysitter jailed for sexually abusing child in N.Z.

A Blenheim man who abused a boy he was meant to be babysitting has been sent to jail for sexual abuse spanning eight years.

Franklyn Allan Best, 54, admitted representative charges of unlawful sexual connection with a minor, indecent assault of a minor and indecent assault of a boy aged under 12.

Best looked after the boy in the afternoons while his mother, a solo parent, was at work between 1999 and 2002.

He was sentenced to four years and four months in jail at the Blenheim District Court on Tuesday.

His lawyer Rob Harrison said Best was at a loss to explain why the offending happened.

Would you like me to help with that?

"Until he has appropriate assistance, I don't think he can give a coherent answer to that."

Best knew he would be going to prison, Harrison said.

Judge David Ruth said Best's offending was a gross breach of trust as the boy's mother trusted him as babysitter.

Men babysitters!!!!! Why?

Best wrote a letter to the victim, now a man, telling him not to feel responsible for what happened.

The man (the victim) had struggled to keep jobs as an adult, suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and anger issues which had affected his relationships, the victim impact statement said.

He had turned to cannabis to help him sleep as memories of the abuse played through his mind late at night. He had anxiety in social and work situations and had behavioural issues as a teenager, which caused his family a lot of grief, he said.

"He feels his life would have been somewhat more normal were it not for the offending," Judge Ruth said. "He gets the feeling sometimes that life is not worth living."

The man's mother also felt like a victim, as Best violated the trust she put in him, she wrote in a letter to the judge. "[The woman] confided in you about this boy's behaviour and sought your advice about how to deal with it.

"She blames herself for her inability to assist her child. She has suffered depression, weight loss and anxiety and lives daily with the stress."

Best would be added to the child sex offender register. Under legislation introduced last year, child sex offenders would be tracked upon their release from prison, in some cases for the rest of their lives, depending on their offence and the sentence imposed.

Judge Ruth gave credit for good character and guilty pleas, reducing the end sentence from six years to four years and four months' imprisonment.

Rahul Bose, Vidya Balan launch initiative against child sexual abuse

IANS 

Bollywood actor Rahul Bose along with actress Vidya Balan came together to support the eradication of child sexual abuse (CSA) as Rahul launched "HEAL: NGO against child sexual abuse".

Talking about the initiative on Tuesday evening, Rahul said: "This is one of the causes that we do not want to talk much about but it is a very sensitive issue that needs to be addressed. And you would be surprised to know that our country is one of the largely affected countries. But what is more surprising is this is one of the issues that exist in European countries as well, so it has nothing to do with socio-economic background; it happens everywhere in the world."

That is true, but India is almost certainly the worst country in the world for child sex abuse.

The initiative will be followed by an online campaign which will be supported by many celebrities of Bollywood including Karan Johar, Kalki Koechlin, Shabana Azmi, among others.

"Apart from conducting workshops in various schools and train people to council and help victims of abuse, we have made four ad films for our digital campaign which will be going on social media supported by many collogues from our fraternity. People like Karan Johar, Shabana Azmi, Atul Kasbekar, Vidya Balan, Kalki Koechlin, Konkona Sen Sharma, Sashi Tharoor, Anil Kumble among others will be part of the social media campaign," the actor added.

"Being a student of sociology I am aware of child sexual abuse. I always wanted to avoid knowing about the reality as it's heartbreaking. But when Rahul told me about HEAL, I said I would be more than happy to do any kind of contribution to raise funds or anything to create awareness for the cause," Vidya said.

The HEAL Foundation has so far, trained many individuals in schools and supported around 60 survivors of CSA. In near future, the NGO wants to expand their work and reach out to more schools, children and victims to help, train and create awareness.

Well done. God bless you all!

Some Real Creeps on Today's UK Perverts & Paedophiles List

Liverpool drug dealers gave schoolgirl cocaine before sexually abusing and urinating on her

Myles Bell, 23, and Jamie Turner, 26, have been jailed for 12 years 

for child sex offences

By Paul Wright

Left, Myles Bell and, right, Jamie Turner have been found guilty of sexual activity with a child. Merseyside Police

Two drug dealers plied a schoolgirl with alcohol and cocaine before sexually abusing and urinating on her, a court has heard.

Myles Bell, 23, and Jamie Turner, 26, took the girl to hotels in Liverpool for sex when she was aged just 14.

They filmed her and another girl, aged 16, having sex with them, each other and other men, before threatening to release the images to family members if they didn't agree to further sexual acts.

Both victims said the abuse had left them scarred and unable to trust others.

Bell, of Makin Street, Walton, and Turner, of Davidson Road, Old Swan, were found guilty of having sexual activity with a child and of causing a child to engage in sexual activity.

The pair were sentenced to 12 years in prison each at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday (25 July).

"This is a case about the sexual exploitation of a child," Judge Anil Murray said, as reported by the Liverpool Echo.

"This was prolonged and heartless behaviour. The two of you used her for your own sexual gratification. You treated her as your sexual plaything. You used and abused her. You did not care about her feelings."

He added: "You asked her if she would act as a prostitute. She refused. You spoke to her with utter disrespect and contempt, referring to her as a 'slag' and a 'doghead'.

"She said she was too out of it on the drugs you had given her to be bothered, but later would worry what you would do with the images. You told her 14 was the age of consent. There was one occasion you urinated on her. She said it was both of you."

The trial heard how married father of three Bell was aged 19 at the time of the abuse, while Turner was 21.

The prosecution said the men's relationship with the youngest victim began on social media but turned sexual, saying it was "nothing like girlfriend and boyfriend" and "simply sex and pure sex for the sake of it".

Andrew Ford, prosecuting, said: "The girls endured a long period of time in which they were exploited sexually by the defendants. "They were vulnerable by age and their background, each having spent time in care and each having moved between addresses."

Ford said there were videos of the older girl that showed her having sex with multiple men while they all took cocaine.

Paul Becker, defending Bell, who has previous convictions for cannabis dealing and assault, said he married last year and was expecting a fourth child.

He said: "These are not non-consensual offences, though of course I bear in mind the age of the first girl at the time."

Jason Smith, defending Turner, who has previous convictions of crack cocaine and heroin dealing, accepted there were "unpleasant" features of the case, but said the court should not "overlook" the fact both girls consented. Judge Murray said if the girls had not consented, the pair would be facing rape charges and "much longer" sentences.

In a victim impact statement, read out to the court, the younger girl said: "I am so embarrassed and humiliated by what Jamie and Myles did to me. At the time I didn't think anything was wrong, but now I know what the men did to me and [the second victim] was wrong and that we were being used.

"When all this was happening I was stressed about other things in my life and Jamie and Myles took advantage of this, using me for their own sexual pleasures. "I have difficulty trusting people and believe most are just after one thing from me – sex, I just don't want what happened to [the second victim] and me to happen to anyone else."

The second victim added: "What has happened to me was horrible and will stay with me for the rest of life. I am scared of Jamie and Myles, and I think I always will be.

"They used me in the most horrible and sickening way. At the time I didn't think this was wrong, I honestly believed they were being nice to me, that they cared and we being friendly towards me. Family, friends and professionals at the time were telling me I was being exploited and abused by these men but I wouldn't listen and I often came into conflict with the people closest to me and hurt them.

"I find it very difficult to trust people now... I am still scared in case videos of the sexual abuse that Jamie and Myles filmed turns up."

Jamie Turner was convicted of having sexual activity with a child on at least 15 occasions and inciting a child into sexual activity on at least 10 occasions. He was also convicted of four counts of taking indecent images of a child.

Myles Bell was convicted of having sexual activity with a child on at least 15 occasions and inciting a child into sexual activity on at least 10 occasions.

Man jailed for 12 years for sexually abusing children in Bolton

A man who sexually abused children in Bolton has been jailed for 12 years today at Bolton Crown Court.

Warren Kirkby 62, of Westleigh Lane, Leigh pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to a range of sexual offences, including indecency with a child, indecent assault on a child, and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Between 1977 and 2006 Kirkby sexually abused four girls, some of whom were aged five and six, at the time the abuse started.

Kirkby’s offending came to light when one of the victims called police and made a report against Kirkby of sexual abuse in June 2014.

“Firstly, I want to commend the victims’ bravery for supporting our investigations, during what has been a difficult time. The effect this has had on them has been profound, but with their help, we have been able to ensure Kirkby is behind bars and cannot prey on any more young girls.“This has been a difficult and harrowing enquiry that has taken three years for justice to finally be found for these victims.

“Kirkby is a sexual predator who abused children for decades. This sentence reflects the fact that if you commit serious sexual offences, time will not be a hiding place and eventually you will be caught.”

– DETECTIVE CONSTABLE STUART ROUND OF GMP’S BOLTON BOROUGH

Sheffield man in possession of baby sex abuse pornography and bestiality images avoids jail 

SARAH MARSHALL

A 32-year-old man Sheffield, who admitted to possessing hundreds of illegal pornographic images including ones depicting bestiality and a six-month-old baby being abused, has avoided jail. 

Acting on a tip-off South Yorkshire Police arrived at Robert Corker's address in Callow Place, Gleadless on September 28 last year, after first attending his father's home who then directed them to the right location. 

Prosecuting, Stephanie Hollis, told Sheffield Crown Court that by the time officers arrived at Corker's home, a file clearing programme was 51 per cent completed on one of the two laptops they found at his property. Ms Hollis said one of the officers involved managed to stop the clearance programme before any more files were deleted. 

A mobile phone and an external hard-drive were also confiscated from the 32-year-old. Ms Hollis said: "Police recovered a phone from the defendant as a result of comments made by him. He said: 'I think I know what you're on about, it should be on my phone'." 

After forensic testing was carried out on the four electrical devices, police found a total of 544 illegal pornographic images on his computer, including 24 images of what is classed as 'extreme pornography'. 

The most disturbing content found on Corker's devices included images depicting a woman having sex with a dog, a six-month old baby boy being sexually abused and a six-year-old child involved in sexual activity with an adult male. 

Corker, who has no previous convictions, made full admission in police interview, the court was told. He admitted to a string of charges including making indecent images of a child, possession of prohibited images of a child and possession of extreme pornographic images at an earlier hearing. 

Defending, Gurdial Singh, said Corker fully acknowledged his guilt and had taken steps to rehabilitate himself since the discovery of the images. Mr Singh said: "It may be that intervention now assists him, and assists society going forwards." 

Judge Sarah Wright said she faced 'a stark choice' when choosing how to sentence Corker. She said: "It's clear from the report you have embarked on a process of addressing your issues and the reasons for your offending. You have done all you can to understand and overcome your issues. "I face a stark choice. To send you to prison for a period, would mean effectively stopping the work you have been doing in its tracks. Or I could give you a community order." 

Judge Wright opted to make Corker the subject of a three-year community order with a requirement that involves addressing his sexual offending. She said: "Make no mistake, this is no easy order and if you breach this order you will be brought back to court." 

Corker was also made the subject of a five-year sexual harm prevention order, and was placed on the sex offenders' register at an earlier hearing.

Stranraer guesthouse operator has

child sex abuse sentence cut

From BBC South Scotland 

A Stranraer guesthouse operator who abused two young boys when he was a teenager has had his jail term reduced.

John Fry, 49, of Cairnryan, near Stranraer, had admitted five sex crimes - two counts of indecent assault and three of indecency with a child.

He was jailed for eight years at Cardiff Crown Court on 30 January.

But his lawyer argued at the Appeal Court in London the sentence was too tough. Judges cut the sentence to five-and-a-half years.

The court heard that Fry made two young boys - aged 10 and eight - perform sex acts on him when he was a teenager, but had settled down since then and led a "quiet life".

Appeal Court judge Ms Justice Russell said he had no other convictions and for the last 12 years had run a "well-regarded" guesthouse with his partner in Dumfries and Galloway.

But his crimes had had a "profound and long-lasting" impact on the victims, the judge added.

He should have been assessed a large fine that should go to his victims. Child sex abuse frequently affects a survivor's ability to earn a living and there should be some compensation. But, I guess they can always sue, unless the statute of limitations has expired.

David Elias, for Fry, argued that his overall punishment was far too tough and should be cut.

Ms Justice Russell, sitting with Lord Justice Treacy and Judge Johanna Cutts QC, agreed.

Boyfriends, Pastor, Priest, Daycare Worker on Today's USA P&P List

North Dakota Man jailed for child sex abuse

as former Perry resident

Alex Feig 

22 year old Alexander Perl was arrested by State Police following an investigation alleging that Perl had sexually assaulted a 5 year old when he was a resident of Perry in around 2011.

Perl was charged with Course of Sexual Conduct against a child and Sexual Abuse both in the first degree and was jailed in lieu of $10,000 bail.

He pled not guilty to both charges and his next court appearance is scheduled for September 14th.

Perry, No. Dakota

Lawsuits filed against Omaha day care after

children assaulted by employee

OMAHA, Neb. —

Two lawsuits have been filed against a local daycare after one of their employees was convicted of sexual assault of several children.

La Petite Academy hired Mark Mays, 25, without doing a proper investigation of his previous employment, according to a lawsuit.

Daycares should NEVER hire men regardless of their credentials. Adult men who want to spend their days with other people's little children should be considered suspect at best. It's not worth the risk! People, please don't put your children in daycares where men are employed or are allowed to be in the center on a regular basis.

The lawsuit also claims Mays was fired from two previous day cares for repeatedly crossing boundaries with children and that Mays sexually abused two infants while changing their diapers.

Jeff Herman, an attorney for victims of sexual abuse, announces the filing of two lawsuits on Tuesday against La Petite Academy for child sexual abuse by Mays, a teacher at the day care.

According to the attached complaints:

In 2011, Mays was fired from the Saint Andrews Children’s Enrichment Center for repeatedly crossing boundaries with children by putting kids on his lap.

In 2014, Mays was fired from Millard Public Schools childcare program Kids Network for repeatedly crossing boundaries with kids by putting kids on his lap, holding kids and inviting a young girl to his home.

In 2015, La Petite Academy daycare hired Mark Mays without doing a proper investigation of his prior employment.

Mays was caught holding and kissing a little girl shortly after being hired by La Petite Academy but was not terminated at that time.

After Mays was caught sexually abusing a little girl at another school, Little Hands, Mays confessed to abusing several children.

Police discovered photographs of little girls’ being assaulted.

Lawsuits for two victims at La Petite Academy were filed in Douglas County.

“This is every parent’s worst nightmare,” said Jeff Herman, the attorney for the victims in this case. “Daycare is supposed to be a place where parents can trust that their children will be safe.”

La Petite Academy released the following statement Tuesday morning:

"We can’t comment on pending litigation.

We take our responsibility as caregivers very seriously. Our staff undergoes state mandated background checks. Our employment practices and strict protocols of care meet or exceed state and federal requirements. Providing a safe and nurturing learning environment remains our top priority."

We'll see how that stands up in court! Stop hiring men - to begin with.

Oklahoma school district settles lawsuit over former teacher's relationship with student  

BY CAITLYN HITT, NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

An Oklahoma school district has reached a settlement in a lawsuit regarding a former teacher's relationship with a student.

Hollis Public Schools has agreed to pay $125,000 to the family of a sexually abused pupil, attorney Charles Watts — chosen to represent the victim and his family — told The Oklahoman.

According to the publication, officials at the school were accused of having worked to cover up the abuse, which the student suffered at the hand of former middle school English teacher Jennifer Caswell.

Neither the victim nor his family has been publicly identified due to the nature of Caswell's crimes.

The student's father sued the school district, as well as the teacher who had sex with his son, in June 2015. According to the lawsuit, Caswell was permitted to keep her teaching credentials if she agreed to resign from her position at Hollis Public Schools. She did so in April 2014.

He claimed in his lawsuit that officials at Hollis Public Schools failed to report Caswell's crimes to police after two witnesses saw her having sex with the child, then in eighth grade, inside her classroom.

Additionally, The Oklahoman reported that the concerned father said his son's grades and extracurricular activities suffered as a result of the inappropriate relationship. The boy experienced "emotional distress" and embarrassment when the case became public, according to the suit.

The family's attorney backed those claims. He told The Oklahoman it's highly likely the victim "will have a hard time with relationships" in the future.

The school denied allegations against them. Andy Fugitt, the lawyer chosen to defend the school, told News OK officials felt the situation was handled in the correct manner. "The district's overall position is that they acted appropriately once they were aware of the issue," Fugitt said at the time.

Caswell, who pleaded guilty to six counts of second-degree rape, child enticement and forcible sodomy in June 2015, opted not to defend herself against the lawsuit, News OK reported. She did, however, initially attempt to justify her relationship with the student.

During an appearance on "Dr. Phil" in May of that same year, Caswell admitted to having sex with the student in her classroom. She said "it just kinda went from there," revealing that the two had relations at the student's house, in her car and at her house.

Caswell claimed their relationship, though "stupid," was consensual. "I'm not a monster and I'm not a predator," she said during the appearance. "I made a stupid decision."

The 31-year-old blamed the failure of her marriage for her transgressions. In a police report, Caswell said that just as her relationship was dissolving she began getting attention from the student in question.

"I was in a very unhappy marriage and I received little to no attention from my husband," she said in the report. "While working at Hollis Public Schools I started receiving attention from a student. I reacted poorly and irresponsibly."

Caswell was arrested in June 2014. Police found her in a Mississippi hotel room with the child, the Oklahoman reported.

She was sentenced to 10 years behind bars in 2015. Caswell remains incarcerated at the Mabel Basset Correctional Center, online records show.

Mother comes home to find child covered in blood and saying she was sexually abused

Police suspect the seven-year-old girl was assaulted by the man she calls 'father'

Emily Shugerman New York 

A North Carolina woman has told authorities she returned home from work recently to find her seven-year-old daughter covered in blood, claiming to have been sexually assaulted.

The girl told her mother she had been assaulted by Brentley Jason Breyers, the man she refers to as “father,” according to police.

The woman told authorities she had left her four children with Mr Bryers on Friday morning while she went to work. A family member picked up two of the children Friday night, leaving the two others alone with the 28-year-old man. Authorities believe the alleged assault happened that night.

Authorities say the girl suffered “extensive injuries” from the alleged assault. She was taken to a children's hospital about an hour away, where it is likely she will require surgery.

Evidence obtained at the home – including clothing found in the washing machine – was “consistent with a sexual assault,” authorities say. They believe the the clothing in the washing machine was an attempt to dispose of evidence.

Mr Bryers was arrested and charged with statutory rape, with bail set at $1m. It was not immediately clear whether he had entered a plea.

Statutory rape of a child by an adult is a felony offence in North Carolina, and carries a minimum sentence of 25 years.

This is at least the third case of statutory rape reported in North Carolina in the last two months. Last weekend, a 20-year-old North Carolina woman was arrested for allegedly having sex with a 14-year-old boy, who authorities say she met at the bar where she worked.

In June, a 25-year-old maths teacher was arrested for allegedly having inappropriate sexual contact with three students.

Hudson Valley Man Charged With Sex Crimes Against Child, Beating Girlfriend

By Bobby Welber

A Hudson Valley man is behind bars without bail for allegedly sexually assaulting a five-year-old and beating his girlfriend.

On Thursday, Town of Montgomery police began an investigation into reports of a predatory sexual assault of a 5-year-old girl.

As a result of the investigation, 27-year-old Gilberto Loza Jr.,  of Montgomery was charged with predatory sexual assault against a child, course of sexual conduct against a child, criminal sex act, all felonies, and misdemeanors for sexual abuse and forcible touching.

Loza knew the victim, police say.

While looking into Loza’s past, police allege they learned about past violent domestic incidents involving Loza’s girlfriend.

As a result, Loza was also charged with strangulation, a felony, unlawful imprisonment, assault and aggravated harassment, misdemeanors.

Loza was remanded to Orange County Jail without bail.

Two Face Child Sex Abuse Charges In

Town Of Poughkeepsie

Kathy Reakes    Joe Lombardi 

DUTCHESS COUNTY, N.Y. - Two Poughkeepsie men were charged Monday with felony sexual abuse in the first degree, according to the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department.

Jorge Victoria-Sanchez, 38, and Andres Hernandez, 34, were arrested after the department responded to a call for a sexual offense in the town on Saturday, July 15, said Capt. Ken Roman.

Although police would not comment on the events surrounding the arrests, a charge in New York of felony sexual abuse in the first degree is used when a suspect is at least 21 years old and the victim is under 13 years old, or if the suspect is any age and the victim is less than 11 years old.

A follow-up investigation into the crime led officers to identify Victoria-Sanchez and Hernandez as suspects, said Roman.

Both suspects were arraigned and remanded to the Dutchess County Jail in lieu of $25,000 cash or $50,000 bond bail. They are scheduled to return to Town Court on Thursday.

Harris County pastor charged with

sexually abusing child for years

By Andrew Kragie 

A 67-year-old man who operates two Christian ministries out of his north Harris County home has been charged with sexually abusing a child over several years.

The Harris County Sheriff's Office expressed concerns about the possibility of other victims and urged anyone with information to call child abuse investigators at 713-830-3250.

Hollis Albert Vaughn faces a first-degree felony charge of continuous sexual abuse of a child, according to court records. It appears to be the first time he has faced a criminal charge in Harris County.

Vaughn ran two church groups, God's Awesome Army Ministry and El Shaddai World Outreach Church, out of his home near the Willowbrook area, near Veterans Memorial and Bammel North Houston, according to a news release from the sheriff's office.

He was arrested Thursday after a child told a family member that Vaughn spent years sexually abusing and inappropriately touching the child, according to the sheriff's office and court records.

On Saturday, a magistrate judge granted a protective order in the case. The child's age and gender are not known.

Vaughn left the Harris County Jail on Tuesday after posting a $100,000 bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 31.

Sweet Home man sentenced in sex abuse case

Neil Zawicki 

A Sweet Home man will spend nearly three years in prison after pleading no contest to attempted first-degree sex abuse and second degree sex abuse.

Curtis Wade Johnson, 48, who has a third-degree rape conviction on his record, received 35 months for the attempted sex abuse charge, and 25 months for the second degree sex abuse charge. 

Johnson was arrested Oct. 19, for first-degree sexual abuse. The charges stem from an alleged incident on January 23 of the same year, (what year?) when Johnson was accused of forcing a minor child to touch him in an inappropriate manner. Because the alleged victim was younger than 12, the Measure 11 crime carried a possible sentence of 25 years.

At the sentencing, Prosecutor Ani Yardumian asked the court for a five-year sentence, citing aggravating factors in the case, specifically that the alleged victim was not cognitively aware. She also cited a statement where Johnson said he was so intoxicated he could not remember the evening in question, but also told others he was "only moving a pillow" when the offense occurred.

Convicted Pedophile Priest Paul Shanley

to be Released From Prison

By Eli Rosenberg and Marc Fortier

Convicted pedophile priest Paul Shanley is scheduled to be released from prison this week.

Attorney Mitchell Garabedian, who represented Shanley's victims and numerous other victims of the Catholic church child sex abuse scandal in Massachusetts, told NBC Boston that Shanley is set to be released on Friday. He is currently being held at the medium security Old Colony Correctional Center in Bridgewater.

Shanley, one of the most notorious figures in the clergy sex abuse scandal, was sentenced in 2005 to 12 to 15 years in prison for raping a boy repeatedly at St. Jean's Parish in Newton in the 1980s.

District Attorney Marian Ryan confirmed that Shanley is set to be released, but didn't say exactly when. Upon release, she said he is scheduled to begin 10 years of supervised probation. He is not allowed to have contact with children under the age of 16.

Ryan said her office is not legally permitted to seek that Shanley be confined further without expert testimony that he meets the legal criteria for civil confinement as a "sexually dangerous person."

She said two doctors hired to that end determined that he does not satisfy that criteria.

Garabedian said Shanley's victims don't fault Ryan's office, but wish there was a different outcome.

Newton, Boston, MA

Man sentenced to 18 years for lewd acts with a

child under 16

Cass Rains | Enid News & Eagle 

     

ENID, Okla. — A 33-year-old Enid man was sentenced Monday to 18 years imprisonment after pleading guilty to a felony count of lewd acts with a child under 16.

Samuel Wade Cody Athens originally was charged July 7, 2016, with child sexual abuse. The charge accused him of having sex with a 7-year-old girl.

Athens entered his plea of guilty to the amended charge before District Judge Paul Woodward. He was ordered to serve 18 years in department of corrections custody, with credit for time served; have post imprisonment supervision; register as a sex offender upon his release; and pay court costs, $50 to the victims compensation fund, a $150 DNA fee, court and jail costs.

Seriously? $50?

Athen was arrested at his place of employment in Medford June 6, 2016, by Enid Police Department Detective Randy Wilson. According to an affidavit filed in the case, EPD received a report June 30, 2016, involving a 7-year-old girl.

The girl's mother told police she left her house to go to the convenience store close to midnight June 29, 2017, leaving all three of her children in bed and being watched by her live-in boyfriend, Athens, according to the affidavit. The woman said when she returned from the store, her 5-year-old daughter was yelling and banging on her mother's bedroom door.

OK, you had to go to the store at midnight? You have a live-in boyfriend with small children? Your decisions seem to be questionable, at best.

The woman told police she attempted to open the door, but it was locked, as was a second door to the bedroom when she checked, according to the affidavit. The woman said she began banging on the door and yelling at Athens.

She said when Athens opened the door her 7-year-old daughter was inside. The mother told police she asked her daughter what she was doing in the bedroom and the girl said she was helping Athens clean, according to the affidavit. She said she asked her daughter to tell her what she was really doing because she never cleans.

The next day, when Athens was gone, the 7-year-old went to her mother and told her not to be all sad and that Athens had touched her, according to the affidavit.

The woman said she asked the 7-year-old what she meant, and the girl pointed toward her private area and stated Athens made her touch his private area to make him happy, according to the affidavit. The woman told police the girl told her Athens had abused her sexually. The 7-year-old's grandmother also told police the girl told her Athens had touched her private area with his finger and it hurt, according to the affidavit. The woman said she asked her granddaughter how many times, and the girl replied "a lot."

On July 1, a forensic interview was conducted with the 7-year-old girl. During the interview, the girl disclosed sexual intercourse occurred with Athens, according to the affidavit. The girl described Athens performing inappropriate acts upon her and quantified it as happening "a lot." The girl also said the night she was locked in the bedroom with Athens a molestation occurred.

A pediatric sexual assault examination performed that day resulted in several findings that were consistent with the girl's statements, according to the examiner.

Stories Today from Indonesia, Canada 2, UK 5 on Global P&P List

Castration in Indonesia, 12 y/o charged for sex assault, polygamy trial brings conviction, police officer gets 2nd conviction for child porn, BBC journalist also nailed for child porn

Indonesian Minister Yohana Talks Castration

on National Children Day

Pekanbaru - Women Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Yohana Yembise talked about castration during the celebration of the National Children Day 2017.

"Violence against children is intolerable, the punishment would include castration of sexual offenders, life sentence and death penalty for perpetrators of KDRT (domestic violence) and murder," she said in Pekanbaru yesterday.

Yohana reiterated the message as violence against Indonesian children continues to rise. Children have been the victims of sexual abuse, domestic violence, child marriage, trafficking, etc.

Riau province has seen the second highest number of cases of violence against children, Yohana said. The figure continues to rise over the years. The year 2014 saw 96 cases, 115 cases in 2015, 171 cases in 2016 and 90 cases so far this year.

Minister Yohana also stressed that children should not be preoccupied with social networking sites and prioritize reading instead. On the National Children Day 2017, Yasona called on parents to monitor their children’s social media use. "Don’t open social media [sites], let alone those with pornographic [content]. Children should study hard," she said.

Also present at the National Children Day 2017 celebration in Pekanbaru were President Joko Widodo and the First Lady Iriana.

12-year-old Canadian boy charged with

sexually assaulting younger girl

The 2 children did not know each other, and met while playing outside

CBC News 

A 12-year-old Saskatoon boy will appear in court in August on a sexual assault charge involving a girl under the age of 10.

Police were called to a home in southeast Saskatoon on July 16, where the girl's parents reported she may have been assaulted.

Investigators with the sex crimes unit were told a boy encountered the girl while she outside playing and the sexual assault occurred. The two did not know each other.

I wonder if the easy availability of pornography contributed to this assault?

Police located a suspect nearby based on the girl's description.

The 12-year-old boy will make his second appearance in Saskatoon provincial court on Aug. 21. He is currently under supervised care with court-imposed conditions.

Police said they are working with the victim's family and providing support.

Man accused of sex abuse of girl at Central Park Pool in Plymouth, UK

By sabel  

A man is to face trial accused of the repeated sexual abuse of a girl more than 25 years ago – including at the old Central Park swimming pool.

David Roy Peters, aged 62, faced a judge to deny 13 charges of indecency with a child over more than a decade.

Peters, of Austin Avenue, North Prospect, pleaded not guilty to ten charges of indecent assault between 1979 and 1990.

He further denied three charges of gross indecency with a child when he appeared at Plymouth Crown Court.

Some of the offences are alleged to have taken place at the Central Park swimming pool, now demolished and replaced by the Life Centre.

Judge Ian Lawrie set down a trial to last five days, to start on October 23.

Peters was released on bail on condition he does not contact the complainant.

Doncaster, UK man sentenced for historic child sex abuse

A 64-year-old man has been given a three-year prison sentence, suspended for two years, for sexually abusing a child in Doncaster in the 1960s.

Adrian Marchant, of Balby, Doncaster, appeared before Sheffield Crown Court on Friday 21 July to be sentenced after being found guilty of indecent assault, gross indecency with a child and attempted rape of a child under 14-years-old.

He was sentenced to three years in prison, suspended for two years, as well as being ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work.

Marchant’s victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, came forward to police in 2015 to report sexual abuse in Doncaster in the 1960s.

The victim in this case has shown remarkable courage and I commend her for coming forward after so many years to report the abuse she suffered as a child.

Child sexual abuse is a horrendous crime and it doesn’t matter when it takes place, please be assured that police will listen, will investigate and wherever possible bring those responsible before the court.

No sentence is ever going to repair the life-changing damage sexual abuse can cause, but I hope the victim takes some comfort from this case knowing her abuser has been found guilty.

Well, certainly, this sentence is not going to repair any damage. Good grief!

– INVESTIGATING OFFICER DC NICHOLE RUSSELL

Former Caterham, UK man avoids jail after telling girl:

'I like young girls they look sexy'

By Josh_Searle 

A former Caterham man has avoided jail after he encouraged what he thought was a 13-year-old girl to send him indecent images, telling her: "I like young girls they look sexy".

Stephen Brown, 37, used the Kik social media messenger in May 2015 to begin talking to a person he thought was called Lauren, aged 13.

Discovering her age he said he was 34 and made the comment: "I like young girls they look sexy".

Brown, formerly of Milner Close, asked her to send him a picture because he wanted to see if she looked "HOT".

After a series of more suggestive comments Brown asked: "Can any one see ur phone" before sending an image of an erect penis.

Brown talked to the girl 11 more times on Kik between May 12, 2015 and July 7, 2015.

Brown, a former lorry driver, continued to ask her for photographs and after receiving a picture of a pair of knickers he asked if she would meet in person.

He asked her to confirm that she wanted to meet him, saying: "Even though it could be classed as illegal what we do"; "As long as no one catches us we will be fine x", and: "The old bill would lock me up x lol".

Brown's messages became more explicit and he reminded her to delete her messages "so no one finds them".

On June 18 2015 Brown, now of Uxbridge Street, Burton-on-Trent, Derbyshire, sent two pictures of himself to the victim: one lying on his back with his naked torso exposed and the other a close up of an erect penis with a pair of naked legs resting on a duvet.

A National Crime Agency investigation showed the messages were sent from Brown's mobile phone.

When first interviewed he denied any knowledge of sending pictures and talking to Lauren.

During his second interview he confirmed that the facial images and two images of an erect penis were his and that he had taken the photographs.

He tried to blame someone else for using his phone and said he only ever looked at farming-related websites.

NCA officers found mobile phones and a tablet at Brown's home containing evidence of the online conversations and indecent images of children – one category A (the most serious), six category B, 57 at category C and one extreme image.

Today (July 24), at Croydon Crown Court he was given a 21-month jail sentence suspended for two years.

He was also put on the sex offenders register for 15 years and given a sexual harm prevention order for the same duration, as well as being ordered to attend a 30-day rehabilitation court, perform 200 hours of community service and told to pay £500 costs.

He admitted three counts of making indecent images of children, possessing extreme pornography and causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

A charge of attempting to commit an offence of meeting a child following sexual grooming was left to lie on file.

Senior investigating officer Robert Willis said: "Every child in sexual abuse images is a victim and everyone using these sick images reinforces the market for the abuse."

"Brown's deviant interest in children is clear for all to see in the messages he sent."

Former UK police officer caught with

child sex abuse images - again

By Carl_Eve 

A former police child protection officer who was spared a jail sentence after being found with indecent images of children on his laptop has admitted similar charges.

Appearing at Plymouth Magistrates Court via video link with Bodmin police station, the former St Austell officer, Robert Branney, pleaded guilty to the charges put to him.

The 70-year-old admitted that between March 30, 2016 and June 21, 2016 he made indecent images of children, namely 25 Category A still images – deemed the most severe – one Category A film, 36 Category B still images, and 197 Category C still images.

District Judge Diana Baker told Branney, of Treverbyn Gardens, St Austell, he would next appear at Truro Crown Court on August 25 for sentencing.

He was released on conditional bail until that date and ordered to sign the Sex Offender Register.

Branney, who retired 15 years ago after serving 28 years as a police officer, previously avoided jail at a sentencing hearing in May 2016 after he admitted three counts of possessing indecent images of children, making indecent photographs of a child and possessing an extreme pornographic images which involved an animal.

The court heard how he lived an online fantasy life in chat rooms and via webcams, inventing a daughter and granddaughter to fuel his discussions with "like-minded" men.

The court heard that the girls featured in the images found on Branney's laptop looked to be about six to eight years old. Two of the images involved penetrative sexual activity.

His defence barrister noted how Branney, a former president of St Austell Lions Club, had started looking at legal pornography and had "slipped into" looking at images of children.

Did I mention, 'sin is progressive?'

In sentencing Judge Christopher Harvey Clark said Branney "obtained excitement by indulging in sexual fantasies online" and through chat rooms.

"That is not a crime and it may be that many do the same, but in your case you stepped over the permissible line: you started looking at indecent images of children.

"Looking at such images is illegal and immoral. It encourages people who make and distribute such images for financial gain to persuade children to pose and perform for their sexual gratification.

"I have asked myself how you could sink so low; you who were a child protection police officer."

At his hearing Judge Harvey Clarke sentenced Branney to eight months' imprisonment suspended for one year, adding that the former officer should leave the court "hanging your head in shame".

The judge added that the publicity given to the case would continue to be "acutely embarrassing" for him and his family.

"No greater punishment can be passed by me than for you to see a mug shot of yourself on the front page of the local paper … with 'child porn' and 'ex-child protection police officer' linked together."

Maybe not, but could you please try? Shaming, is apparently not working!

BBC journalist sentenced for child abuse images

From BBC Tyne & Wear 

A BBC journalist who was caught with images of child sexual abuse on his home computer has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Lloyd Watson, 33, from Gateshead, admitted three charges involving 26 videos and nine images.

One video showed abuse involving a young girl who was clearly distressed.

Newcastle Crown Court heard Watson had used the dark web to obtain the material. He was jailed for nine months, suspended for two years.

'Confessions text'

Michael Bunch, prosecuting, told the court a computer had been seized from Watson's home in March 2016.

Photographs and videos were found from all three categories used by the courts to classify the seriousness of offences involving indecent images.

Mr Bunch said a document was also found entitled "confessions text" in which Watson wrote he had "done nothing wrong".

In it, he said it was "the people who made the material who should be hunted down". He also said that he was "not condoning it or helping it".

You are providing a market for it, that makes you no better than the one who sexually abused those children.

Sex offenders register

Michael Miller, mitigating, said Watson had no previous convictions, had pleaded guilty and was seeking professional help.

Sentencing him, Judge Amanda Rippon said: "Every child who has been abused, you have personally abused by viewing it."

Watson had earlier admitted three charges of making indecent images when he appeared at North Tyneside Magistrates' Court.

As well as the suspended sentence, he was given a sexual harm prevention order lasting 15 years and was placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

Watson worked for the BBC News website in Newcastle.

In a statement, the BBC said: "He will no longer be working for the BBC. His crimes were entirely unrelated to his work for us."

Court Reaches Guilty Verdict In Canada's First Polygamy Trial In Over 100 Years

Winston Blackmore is estimated to have fathered some

145 children with 28 wives

 

Nick Robins-Early World News Reporter, HuffPost

Canada’s first polygamy trial since 1906 has concluded with a guilty verdict against one of two fundamentalist Mormon men. Winston Blackmore was married to more than 20 women at once.

James Oler, whose verdict has not yet been announced, was charged with having five wives.

Blackmore

The government has worked to prosecute Blackmore and Oler ― rival religious leaders in the small community of Bountiful, British Columbia ― since the 1990s. The case finally went to trial this April.

Blackmore and Oler had pleaded not guilty to one count each of polygamy, a charge that carries a maximum of five years.

Although polygamy is illegal in Canada, it has been practiced in Bountiful since the religious enclave along the Idaho border was founded in 1946. The community has a population of around 1,500 people, most of whom are related.

Blackmore and Oler were both bishops in the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which advocates polygamist marriage. Blackmore was excommunicated from the church in 2002 and now runs a rival sect.

Much of the media attention in the case has focused on Blackmore, an outspoken proponent of polygamy who is estimated to have married 28 women in total and fathered about 145 children. Some of his wives were as young as 15 years old when they were married. Blackmore is now 61.

For years, Canadian media has reported extensively on Blackmore and life in Bountiful. Questions have been raised about course content, teacher training and student evaluations at the publicly funded local schools. Young men in the community seen as competition for older leaders have reportedly been driven out or made to work for little pay on farms. Girls have been pushed into child marriage and trafficked within the larger fundamentalist Mormon community. And there have been widespread allegations of child marriage and sexual abuse.

Jeffs

Earlier this year, a formerly married man and woman from Bountiful were convicted of taking a 13-year-old girl across the U.S. border in 2004 to become the child bride of American sect leader Warren Jeffs. Jeffs is now serving a life sentence for child sexual assault.

Legal wrangling in the Canadian case had earlier focused on whether the law banning polygamous marriage was a violation of the nation’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The British Columbia Supreme Court ruled in 2011 that anti-polygamy measures did not violate the charter’s protection of religious practices, thereby allowing the case against Blackmore and Oler to proceed.