..
Crown seeks five years for B.C. sex crime
Mark NIELSEN / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
MARCH 3, 2021 04:38 PM
The entrance to the Prince George courthouse. John Deacon Q.C. courthouses.co
A man found guilty of confining and sexually interfering with a seven-year old-boy a decade ago is facing up to five years in prison for the crime.
That is how much Crown prosecutor Marie Louise Ahrens contended the man should receive for a 2011 attack on the child, despite case law suggesting three years being the norm for others who have committed similar offences.
During a hearing at the courthouse, Ahrens noted, however, that the maximum for sexual interference has since been increased to 14 years from 10 and contended that the increase gave B.C. Supreme Court Justice Brenda Brown the leeway for a longer term.
Defence counsel Mitch Houg disagreed with Ahrens' position and her interpretation of a Supreme Court of Canada decision related to the matter.
Houg argued for three years in a federal prison or, alternately, two years less a day in a provincial jail followed by probation of up to three years, the maximum allowed for time served in a provincial institution.
Following a trial, Brown found the man guilty in December of sexual interference and forcible confinement. His name cannot be published under a court-ordered publication ban against information that could identify the victim.
According to a brief summary given at the hearing on Wednesday, the man was in an extended stay with the boy's mother and effectively acting as a stepfather. In August 2011, the man had been supervising the boy and his younger sister while their mother was away at work. The court heard he had tied up both children and forced the boy to perform a sexual act on him.
The man denies the acts and maintains his innocence.
In a statement to the court, the boy's father said his son continues to suffer nightmares and day terrors as a result. The allegations were first reported to police three years ago.
The judge will issue a decision at a later date.
We don't know how old these children are, and the report doesn't say how much the girl was affected by the horror. But I get upset when I see perverts traumatize children and then get sentenced to jail such that they will be out, and back on the streets, while the child is still a child. That should never happen if the law and lawgivers had any intention of protecting children.
I also get upset when mothers invite men into their homes who have questionable character. So many paedophiles flatter and pursue a mother when all along they are after access to the children.
Paedo ringleader who recruited 'UK's worst female paedophile'
bids for freedom
EXCLUSIVE: Vile Colin Blanchard convinced nursery worker Vanessa George to abuse tots at a nursery in Plymouth and share the sickening videos - he could be free in time for summer
By Jeremy Armstrong, The Mirror
18:14, 2 MAR 2021
Colin Blanchard was said to be the 'hub of the paedophile wheel' (Image: Devon and Cornwall Police/PA)
The ringleader of one of Britain’s most notorious paedophile gangs could be back on the streets by the summer.
Vile Colin Blanchard, 51, who convinced a nursery worker to abuse tots, has been referred to the Parole Board to be considered for release.
The hearing could take place as early as May.
The families of his young victims will be able to give their views to experts in impact statements.
A Parole Board spokesman said: “We can confirm the parole review of Colin Blanchard has been referred to us and is following standard processes.
“Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community.
“The panel will carefully examine a whole range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as understand the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims.”
Blanchard's co-accused, nursery worker Vanessa George, is back on the streets. She earned the grim title of Britain’s worst female paedo in 2009 (Image: Devon and Cornwall Police/PA)
He added: “Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.”
Blanchard’s case was referred to the Parole Board two years ago by the Ministry of Justice.
Experts then judged him not ready for release without holding a hearing.
He was required to complete another course in jail designed to prevent re-offending.
The case was reviewed by a psychologist before a date could be set to consider his status.
The Ministry of Justice referred his case to be considered after he had completed his nine-year minimum sentence.
Offenders are only brought before the Parole Board every two years.
His co-accused - nursery worker Vanessa George - is back on the streets after serving ten years in prison for abusing up to 64 babies.
She shared the sickening videos with Blanchard.
Her release sparked fury after it emerged she had been given a flat at the expense of the taxpayer.
George earned the grim title of Britain’s worst female paedo in 2009 after she was caged for taking the sick pictures of herself harming babies and toddlers.
The fiend cruelly refused to tell police the names of all of her victims – leading to a decade of “hell” for families.
Baby rapist changes identity before expected release from UK prison (10th story on link)
Adelaide paedophile pleads for 'merciful' sentence over sex abuse
of Cambodian children
By Rhett Burnie
Posted Yesterday at 7:59pm, updated 11hhours ago
An Adelaide man who admitted filming himself sexually abusing children in Cambodia and publishing the videos online has pleaded with a Supreme Court judge to be "merciful" in sentencing him.
Geoffrey William Moyle has pleaded guilty to 11 child exploitation charges — including the sexual abuse of six children in Cambodia between 2002 and 2005.
In sentencing submissions at the Supreme Court on Friday, Moyle's defence lawyer Heath Barkley SC pleaded with Judge Paul Cuthbertson to consider a "merciful non-parole period" when sentencing the 46-year-old, citing his desire to see his family and his "life of hard work."
Earlier, the court heard a victim impact statement from one of Moyle's victims, who was 12 years old when the former aid worker filmed himself sexually abusing her in a Cambodian hotel room on two occasions.
"I could tell that the cameras were on," the court heard.
"Moyle did not speak at all … he looked like he was hiding his face.
"He denied that he filmed me … I was scared he would beat me."
'He feels genuine remorse'
The defence told the court Moyle had read the victim impact statement. "He found it very confronting to hear her story," Mr Barkley said.
Uh, say what?
"He is remorseful for his role in her anguish … he feels genuine remorse and shame for the offences he's committed.
Everyone does after they are caught and are facing a prison term.
"From the moment he met his wife [in 2006] he made the decision to stop contact offending.
"In a sporadic way he did from time to time access child exploitation material [on the internet]."
Prosecution asks for maximum sentence
Judge Cuthbertson questioned why Moyle published the videos of his offending online, asking the defence if it was for financial reward.
The defence said he had not received money for the videos but had been "trading" material with other online predators.
The prosecution has asked the judge to impose the maximum sentence of life in prison.
The sentencing submissions continue.
N Ireland teacher jailed over haul of child sex abuse images
George Jackson, Belfast Telegraph
March 05 2021 03:23 PM
A MUSIC teacher caught with images of child sex abuse on his phone was jailed on Friday.
Jonathan Hutton was handed a 16-month term after a hearing at Londonderry Crown Court.
The 37-year-old, of Papworth Avenue in the city, who pleaded guilty to 22 charges of possessing abuse images, was also placed on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years and given a 10-year Sexual Offences Prevention Order.
Ellesmere Port man jailed for string of child sex offences
By Gary Porter
Chief Reporter Chester Standard
AN Ellesmere Port man has been jailed for eight and a half years for a string of sexual offences against a child.
Stephen Thomas, of Staker Avenue, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday, February 26, after being found guilty of the offences.
The court heard how Thomas subjected the seven-year-old girl to abuse between September 2016 and September 2018.
The child disclosed to her mother what Thomas had done and she immediately told the police.
Officers arrested the 29-year-old and seized electronic devices.
Following examination, it was revealed that the devices contained indecent images of children. He was arrested in relation to this but denied the allegation to officers.
Thomas pleaded not guilty to three counts of sexual touching of a child under the age of 13 and two counts of producing indecent photographs of children.
He was sentenced to eight and a half years and ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register and a sexual harm prevention order both indefinitely.
Detective Constable Joanna Barclay of Cheshire Police’s Police Protection Directorate, said: “This case has left the victim and her family distraught and I hope that the sentence will help bring some closure to them.
“Thomas preyed upon a young child for this own sexual gratification and refused to take responsibility for the crimes he committed, making the family have to relive the horrific experience again through a trial.
“I am pleased with the sentence which was handed down by the courts on Thomas.”
Police and Crime Commissioner David Keane said: “This is a harrowing case and my thoughts are with the victim and her family.
“I would like to commend the work of the team who worked tirelessly to ensure justice for the girl and her family. Support is available to victims of sexual abuse and I would urge anyone who has been subjected to this to please report it to police and seek support and advice.”
Man jailed for child sex offences in Southampton
By Emily Liddell
Daily Echo
A MAN has been jailed for 13 years for a range of non-recent child sexual offences.
Shaun Higginson, 47, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to a total of eight offences including one count of attempted rape of a female under 16, one count of gross indecency with a girl under 14 and six counts of indecent assault on a girl under 14.
Today, Higginson was sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court to a total of 13 years in jail and handed a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Detective Constable Mark Harris from Hampshire Constabulary’s Amberstone team said “Firstly I would like to commend the woman for her courage and bravery in telling us what happened to her when she was young.
“We know how hard it is to come forward and report these offences, whether they have taken place recently or in the past.
“We are committed to getting justice for victims and have specially trained officers to support them through the process.
“We would encourage anyone who has been a victim of child sexual abuse to contact police on 101 where you can speak with our specialist detectives in confidence.”
As a survivor of sexual abuse, you’re entitled to support whether you report the crime or not. You can access different types of support depending on how you’re feeling and what you decide to do next.
Qld teacher sexually abused teen student
Thu, 4 March 2021, 7:08 pm
A school teacher who groomed and sexually abused a bullied teenage girl before scheming to become her legal guardian has been jailed by a Queensland court.
Despite the illicit relationship, the man continued his teaching career for more than a decade before the allegations of abuse surfaced, and he was deregistered in 2019.
The man, 42, who cannot be identified to protect his victim and children, pleaded guilty to indecent treatment and maintaining a relationship with a child in the Brisbane District Court on Friday.
The teacher had been hired at the school in 2008 when the pair met. The vulnerable teen had been fighting with family and was being bullied at school when she turned to the teacher for help.
The sexual relationship intensified over five months as the teacher kissed and fondled the teen before eventually asking her for oral sex, laughing when she vomited.
He also had the teen trim his pubic hair, but insisted there was no sexual penetration until she turned 16, the court was told.
As the teen's family relationship crumbled, the teacher became her guardian and gained legal control. He also coached the girl to say he was just a "family friend" if questioned by outsiders.
Despite becoming engaged in December 2008, the teacher crafted an affidavit for the girl to sign denying any sexual relationship. The teacher and student later married, having three children before the relationship ended, and revelations of sexual abuse surfaced during an acrimonious family court battle.
The court found the teacher had shown no remorse and took advantage of his position of trust throughout the relationship.
"She was vulnerable. She was in a metaphorical sense lost. She was looking for friendship ad no doubt affection," the sentencing judge said.
"You would communicate with her, and she gained some solace from her predicament through that communication."
Although accepting the relationship was consensual, he said there was no doubt the teacher had been a corrupting influence.
No comments:
Post a Comment