Bestiality and child sexual abuse convict Allan Brookes dies in prison
By police reporter Jessica Kidd
Allan Kenneth Brookes, 56, was found dead in his cell at the Lithgow Correctional Centre about 8:30am on Saturday.
Brookes took his own life three weeks after NSW detectives charged him with 20 additional historic child sexual assaults.
A spokeswoman for Corrective Services NSW confirmed the death in a statement.
"This death is not believed to be suspicious."
Abuse occurred on dairy farm
Brookes was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison in April on charges of repeatedly sexually abusing a boy on a NSW dairy farm.
If you or anyone you know needs help:
Lifeline on 13 11 14
Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800
MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978
Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36
Headspace on 1800 650 890
The court heard Brookes subjected his victim to "persistent and degrading abuse" that started when the boy was just 13. Brookes repeatedly touched the boy on the genitals and insisted on showering with him.
On one occasion, he incited the boy to perform a sexual act on a cow and performed his own acts of bestiality on animals in the boy's presence.
Later, the court heard Brookes committed an act of aggravated sexual intercourse on the boy and tried to shame him into keeping quiet.
'Ruthless manipulation' of boy
In sentencing, Judge Chris Craigie said Brookes had engaged in "ruthless manipulation" in an attempt to keep his "grave and evil" crimes a secret.
After being jailed, Brookes was facing a further 20 historical child sexual assault charges.
Detectives alleged Brookes sexually and indecently assaulted a teenage boy on a property at Gunnedah between 1983 and 1986.
Brookes was due to face Tamworth Local Court on the new charges on August 28.
His death is being investigated by Corrective Services NSW and NSW Police.
Teacher accused of child sex plot will not stand trial after judges rule he was victim of entrapment by undercover officers
A RELIGIOUS education teacher who was accused of plotting to have sex with a girl of 14 will not stand trial after judges ruled he was the victim of entrapment by undercover police officers.
Iain Parkinson, 52, used a swingers website to arrange a meeting with a woman and agreed to be collected at a Travelodge by her husband before returning to their home.
But the woman was actually an undercover police officer who was investigating possible links to child sex abuse.
Posing as a woman called “Lisa” the police sent messages to Parkinson, a religious education teacher at Kirkcaldy High School, on dating website Fabswingers.
They made arrangements for him to be picked up and be taken to the woman’s home to have sex with her, but when he turned up he was arrested.
During their conversations, the officer had made references to her fictitious 14-year-old daughter being involved in sexual activity with them. However when he appeared at Falkirk Sheriff Court charged with conspiring to have sex with an underage girl, Parkinson’s legal team argued that he had never expressed any interest in abusing children during the web chats.
A sheriff upheld their plea for the charges to be dropped but prosecutors appealed the decision.
Judges Lord Carloway, Lord Brodie and Lord Turnbull have now ruled in Parkinson’s favour following an appeal hearing.
In a written ruling, Lord Carloway, the Lord Justice General, said: “There was no evidence that the respondent had ever expressed any interest in sexual activity with children. When the existence of the daughter was referred to initially by the police, that provoked no reaction from the respondent.”
So, why did they charge him, and why did the prosecutor go along with it? Makes no sense. There are enough perverts out there looking for children, you don't need to be harassing someone who clearly isn't.
Chronic Rape of 10 y/o and Still Schools do not Implement Basic CSA Reporting Program
The rape of a 10-year-old city girl has once again put focus on the importance of making children aware of sexual abuse
Ifrah Mufti, Hindustan Times, Chandigarh
‘B’ stands for ‘bad touch’ and ‘G’ for good touch is what students are supposed to be taught in government schools to make them aware of sexual abuse.
But 33 of 115 government schools in the city do not even have a counsellor to listen to the complaints of students.
The rape of a 10-year-old city girl has once again put focus on the importance of making children aware of sexual abuse. She was violated repeatedly by her maternal uncle over seven months, leaving her pregnant.
It’s been two months since the Chandigarh Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CCPCR) asked each school to form a child-friendly committee to discuss issues like ‘good touch’ and ‘bad touch’ with children, starting from kindergarten. But most schools are yet to implement the directions.
Sexual assault on minors: In recent cases, maximum 20-year jail term for inflicting a lifelong trauma
Counsellors were asked to fill a pro forma on the basis of their interaction with kids and schools were even asked to place complaint boxes on each floor — preferably in toilets — so that students can come forward without fear.
However, counsellors who talked to HT said nothing has happened so far. Not a single complaint box has been kept in toilets, they say, seeking anonymity.
‘Heads more concerned about school image’
The CCPCR advisory stated that any complaint, whether received through the complaint box or otherwise, is supposed to be reported to the school complaint committee in writing within 24 hours.
The committee has been directed to carry out a preliminary investigation and submit its report to the principal within four days. The committee was also told to report the issue to the UT police immediately. In case the school does not report or abets any offence, the panel has warned of strict action.
One of the counsellors told HT that school heads don’t even allow them to submit a direct complaint to the police as they fear it will spoil the institute’s image.
The schools were also directed to have a clear protocol to guide teachers to assess changes in children’s behaviour. They are supposed to seek the counsellor’s intervention or report the matter to the school head and parents immediately in case of sensing any problem. Sharing an incident, a counsellor said girls do come up with their problems often.
“A Class-7 girl came up to me once and said, ‘Ma'am, the boy in the other row told me that he wants a kiss’,” said the councellor. “These kind of problems begin from Class 6 and girls do complain about them. It becomes important for the counsellor to deal with such instances delicately. But many schools don’t even have a permanent counsellor."
“I make sure that I talk to the students individually over sensitive issues and built trust so that they can share their concerns,” said another counsellor working at a government school in the city’s periphery. “However, placing the complaint boxes in toilets is the responsibility of the principals. No such initiative has been taken so far in most peripheral schools.” The counsellor alleged the UT education department is least bothered about the quality of counselling in schools. “In the past two years, the department has not asked us to submit any report,” said the counsellor.
Moreover, counsellors complained they had no incentive to work in schools. Even their paltry salaries are pending for four months, they alleged.
POCSO e-button to rescue
As per the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), child sexual offences often go unreported because of social stigma and lack of awareness.
Government schoolchildren are considered to be the most vulnerable, at both school and home. The POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses) cell set up in the CCPCR received 57 cases of sexual harassment in the first three months of this year. In order to monitor such cases, the
NCPCR has added a POCSO e-button on its website. It enables the child to register the complaint by visiting the website (http://ncpcr.gov.in/) and clicking the e-button present prominently on the main page.
Pensioner who raped girl, 12, and aborted her unborn baby with a coat hanger is caged
Raymond Hodges was jailed for 25 years at Cardiff Crown Court
after carrying out a decade-long campaign of abuse
By Tom Michael
A sadistic pensioner who raped a girl, 12, before aborting her baby with a coat hanger during a decade-long campaign of physical and sexual abuse has been caged.
Raymond Hodges was jailed for 25 years at Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday after he was convicted of a horrendous catalogue of sexual offences against his victim.
While Hodges was found guilty following a trial of 20 child sex offences, including rape and using an instrument to procure abortion, he pleaded guilty to four counts.
The court heard Hodges, 71-years-old, from Barry, Wales,
began abusing his victim when she was just five years old, continuing until she reached the age of 14.
The defendant subjected her to horrific sexual abuse, some of which he filmed, and used beatings and scaldings to exert his power and control over her.
He also carried out an abortion on his victim when she fell pregnant with his child at the age of just 12.
The court heard the incident, during which another man is said to have held her down, left the victim with traumatic and disturbing visions.
As a result of the abuse the victim dropped out of education, began self-harming, and attempted to take her own life on a number of occasions.
In a statement to the court the woman said she had been robbed of a “warm and happy childhood” as a result of Hodges’ abuse and had “missed out on the smaller things”.
What A 3-Year-Old Sexual Abuse Survivor’s Court Case Reveals About India's Judiciary
Posted by iProbono in Child Rights, Child Sexual Abuse
Amal* was three years old when she was sexually assaulted by her neighbour. During the assault, she suffered injuries that required three reconstructive surgeries. During the trial, Amal could easily identify her assailant, but despite her testimony, the trial court acquitted the accused on the basis that Amal was not a competent witness.
Amal was one of the many children in India who survive sexual abuse in silence. They are unable to find justice while their assailants walk free, putting more children at risk.
Not one to lose hope,
Munira*, Amal’s mother and an extraordinarily strong woman, approached us at iProbono, through HAQ Centre for Child Rights. iProbono is a non-profit network that works to provide pro bono quality legal assistance to civil society and especially to disadvantaged individuals.
We worked with lawyers from our pro bono community to file an appeal in the Delhi High Court against the trial court order. Within two months, the High Court set aside the original order and sentenced Amal’s assailant to life imprisonment.
As a result, today Munira is hopeful of a happy future for her daughter. However, Amal is just one child – a small drop in the ocean.
According to a survey conducted by World Vision India, one in two (or 50%) children face sexual abuse before they turn 18.
There are very good reasons to believe that this is a significant underestimate. I suspect the real number is more than 70%.
Through the timely intervention of committed lawyers, the gross injustice meted out to Amal was remedied. But there are still millions of children who face sexual abuse in India without any access to justice.
Social stigma, police apathy, a sluggish legal system and the sheer volume of cases assigned to public litigators are factors that deprive child survivors of sexual abuse and their families from finding justice. Children from low-income backgrounds, such as Amal, suffer the crippling inability to be heard and seen in the criminal justice system.
iPorbonoFollowing Amal’s case, iProbono formed a panel of senior lawyers from the Delhi High Court to represent child survivors of sexual abuse from disadvantaged communities.
In the last two years, this panel has been able to help 28 other children like Amal access justice through quality legal representation, without having to worry about paying a hefty fee to their lawyers. Earlier this year, we reconstituted the panel to reach more survivors of child sexual abuse across India and double that number to 56 over the next two years.
In some cases – like Amal’s – our work also helps put the offenders behind bars, creating a safer India for many more children.
We realise that in a country like India, understanding and accessing the legal and judicial systems is not always easy. Therefore, through Youth Ki Awaaz, we hope to share regular content that raises awareness around legislation, case law and constitutional provisions available to Indian citizens in different situations. In between, we also hope to share more stories like Amal’s to highlight how Indians from vulnerable sections of society have as much right as anyone else to access the legal system and justice.
You can connect with us on
Facebook,
Twitter or
E-mail and support our work
here.
*Name changed to protect privacy.
Paedophile ex-vicar caught downloading indecent pics had shoebox full of children’s clothing
Former Church of England reverend Paul Battersby has
twice previously been convicted of sexual offences
BY NEIL DOCKING
A paedophile ex-vicar caught downloading indecent images had a shoebox full of children’s clothing stashed in his home.
Former Church of England reverend Paul Battersby was jailed for eight months in 2010 after police discovered his collection of 160 obscene photographs.
He was already serving a suspended sentence after his family found sick files including a horrifying movie of a girl being bound and raped by her dad.
Liverpool Crown Court today heard
the 68-year-old downloaded a further 1,730 indecent images between November 17, 2014 and January 24, 2017.
Chris Taylor, prosecuting, said he had requested a police report after learning
officers also found a shoebox containing children’s clothes in his flat.
Battersby, of Old Hall Street, Liverpool city centre, who served in the ministry for 31 years, admitted possessing the child sex abuse pictures.
He admitted downloading 121 Category A - the most serious category - plus 132 Category B and 1,474 Category C photographs.
The former Church of England national youth officer
also admitted possessing 183 prohibited images of children, plus extreme animal porn.
Peter Turner, defending, requested a pre-sentence report and a psychiatric report for his client.
Judge David Aubrey, QC, adjourned sentencing until August 25 and remanded Battersby on bail.
The paedophile is subject to a notification order requiring him to sign on the Sex Offenders Register until 2020.
Battersby was first caught with indecent images while working as a vicar in April 2007. He was turned in by his wife after his 17-year-old stepson spotted pornographic images and videos on the family computer.
Battersby, who was then vicar of St Ambrose Church in Leyland, was spared prison at Preston Crown Court in March 2008. He was handed
a 34-week suspended sentence, 200 hours of unpaid work and told to attend a sex offenders’ programme.
Battersby, who taught chemistry in Liverpool before training for the church, then moved into his sister’s home in Bebington, Wirral. But in April that year Battersby bought a laptop and within months was using it to access obscene images.
He was caught after police became suspicious when they discovered he was using the name ‘Tanker’ on the internet, breaking the terms of the Sex Offenders Register. They raided the home in College Drive in February 2009 and discovered the photographs, which he admitted downloading.
Mr Turner, defending, said Battersby only got the laptop after being commissioned to organise a missionary work conference. He said: “He is a man who prior to 2007 led what appeared to be a generally blameless and very useful life as a pastor and a teacher. “But it is certainly right to say he has had this interest for about five years maximum.”
Mr Turner said Battersby, formerly of Bridge Street, Birkenhead, had health problems and risked his life for Amnesty International.
Jailing him in 2010, Judge Aubrey said: “Being a highly intelligent and highly articulate man you should well recognise that each image that you have observed for your own sexual gratification represents the abuse of a child. “By doing that which you did you have perpetuated such abuse of such young children.
“You have given your life to God and for 31 years of your life you have been in the ministry and seeking to assist those in need. “But I regret to say that there is another side to you – one which you know – and that side is an unhealthy interest in children.”
Akshay Kumar reveals incident of sex abuse
he faced as a child
The actor stressed on the importance of communication to identify sexual predators, with more such cases coming to light.
Mumbai: Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar on Thursday narrated an incident from his own life to highlight the risk children face in day-to-day life, and the importance of communication to identify sexual predators.
He was speaking at an international conference on human trafficking here.
"Let me share my own experience with you all here. When I was a very young kid, a lift-man once touched me inappropriately.
"Since I had good communication with my parents, I told them about this incident," he said.
Later the same person was caught in another case and was found to be a habitual offender, the actor said.
Parents and children must have a free interaction so that such offenders are identified immediately, Kumar said.
