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Man tried to lure two-year-old for sex in Surrey
and had toys and lube in car
Scott Bamford attempted to meet three children, one of whom was just two years old
of a child sexual offence (Image: Surrey Police)
A man has been sent to prison for three years after grooming three young children online and arranging to meet them in Camberley for sex.
Scott Bamford, a 54-year-old from Walsall, was sentenced last Thursday (February 17) at Guildford Crown Court, having earlier pleaded guilty to three counts of arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sexual offence.
According to Surrey Police, Bamford engaged in sexually graphic conversations on an online chat website and made arrangements to meet three children, one of whom was aged two and the other two were under 11, in Camberley earlier this year.
He arrived at a car park in the town that day and was subsequently arrested. In the boot of his car were children's toys appropriate for different ages and sweets, along with condoms and lubricant.
The arrest took place after an investigation by specialist officers from the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU). Bamford was charged on the same day as his arrest, and it's understood that none of the victims were placed at risk.
In addition to his prison sentence, Bamford was also made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and was ordered to sign on the Sex Offenders' Register for an unlimited period.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Colin Haynes, from SEROCU, said: "Bamford had planned to carry out child sexual abuse and travelled with the intention of committing this offence against three children.
"This case demonstrates our continued priority to protect children from sexual exploitation from those who seek to do them harm. If anyone has been a victim of child sexual abuse, I would urge you to report it to your local police force via 101.
"We will always follow up allegations of abuse, no matter when they occurred. Victims can talk in confidence to experienced investigators and we can also help with providing access to a range of other support services."
Anonymous support is also offered by the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, and by the Stop It Now! helpline on 0808 1000 900.
Paedophile who filmed himself raping child rolls eyes at 24 year sentence
Leonard Wood was caught out when a smashed camcorder cassette was found in his loft
liverpoolecho
Leonard Wood carried out a "campaign of rape" against a child then claimed she instigated it
(Image: Liverpool Echo)
An unrepentant paedophile rolled his eyes when told he will be at least 83 before he gets out of prison.
Leonard Wood, 67, raped a child victim nearly 40 times during abuse lasting more than a decade.
When the now adult woman went to the police to report her ordeal, Wood claimed she instigated his "vile" attacks. Wood denied any sexual activity between them when she was underage and claimed any sexual contact after that was consensual.
But a search of his home revealed camcorder cassettes hidden in the loft - including one that appeared to have been destroyed. And when a detective managed to repair the old cassette, it showed Wood had filmed himself raping and molesting the child.
Wood, of Bark Road, Litherland, admitted only two offences - counts of making indecent photographs of a child. They related to two recordings, which he claimed showed consensual sexual activity when the girl was 16 or 17.
He denied any other wrongdoing - forcing his victim to endure a trial - and said everything videoed happened on just one occasion. Prosecutors said different clothing worn by Wood and the girl, different lighting and different décor in the background on the two clips suggested otherwise, while the victim said she was aged between 13 and 15.
David Polglase, prosecuting, said in one clip, a song could be heard playing in the background - perhaps on a TV or radio - followed by adverts for movies. He said when the track was released and those films were in the cinema, the girl was only 14.
Wood told the jury that was just a coincidence and he used to record songs, then play them back, so he could learn to play them for his band. He claimed it had been the girl's idea to film the videos and said he didn't know how the cassette came to be smashed and secreted away in his loft.
Wood was found guilty of 11 counts of rape. They related to at least 36 separate rapes, including one when she was 11 or 12, and others from the age of 13 to when she was a young adult.
He was convicted of three counts of indecent assault, which related to at least 11 attacks, when she was aged 11 to 13.
Judge Louise Brandon today said the jury was sure the girl was under 16 when Wood filmed the clips. The judge said the prosecution described it as a "campaign of rape". She added: "I'm sure the jury's verdicts demonstrate they were sure that is exactly what it was."
Judge Brandon told him in an "extremely serious aspect" of the offending "you sought to keep illicit recordings of your sexual assaults... for your own gratification". She said: "You directed and controlled her to ensure you had the footage that you desired."
Mr Polglase earlier told the court how Wood "essentially conditioned" his victim and "normalised his behaviour".
He read out a victim statement in which the woman said when the abuse started she thought it was "normal" and didn't understand what was happening to her, even though it felt "wrong".
The woman said: "I never had a childhood I was supposed to have."
The victim explained as an adult she began self-harming and turned to alcohol to cope with her trauma, as she suffered with anxiety, depression, a lack of self-confidence, sleepless nights and hit "rock bottom".
However, she said it felt like a "weight lifted" after she came forward and Wood was convicted, adding: "I now feel like I can finally start living my life." The woman said: "I feel like my life is starting now - a life I should have had for a long time."
Wood, who has one conviction for benefit fraud in 2004, showed no emotion as the statement was read out. Judge Brandon told him: "It's not an overstatement to say your actions had a devastating impact upon her for decades and she continues to suffer the consequences of the harm you did to her."
Anthony O'Donohoe, defending, said because of his age, the "inevitable, lengthy custodial sentence" would have a "profound effect" on Wood and "the rest of his life".
He said a pre-sentence report showed "some indications of some insight into his culpability" and while there was "limited acceptance of his responsibility", these "chinks of light" meant he could undergo a sex offenders treatment programme in prison.
Mr O'Donohoe said: "His conviction and sentence will essentially break ties with his grandchildren. "His daughter was supportive of him during the trial. I don't know what the state of their relationship is [now], but inevitably the custodial sentence will have a profound effect upon his immediate family, including his partner... who stands by him."
Judge Brandon said Wood took steps to prevent the victim from reporting his abuse and the woman remembered him telling her: "I will out you to be a liar because no one will believe you."
The judge said he "deliberately sought to attack the credibility" of his victim during the trial, telling the jury she was a "manipulative liar" and claiming "she instigated the vile abuse that you perpetrated against her".
Judge Brandon said: "The jury saw through your lies but that has not deterred you from repeating them for the new audience of the author of the pre-sentence report."
She said Wood had "no remorse" and "no appreciation" of the "severe psychological harm" he had caused.
Referring to the "chinks of light", Judge Brandon added: "If they are there, they are very difficult to see."
Wood rolled his eyes as the judge jailed him for 24 years, with an extended one year on licence as "an offender of particular concern". He must spend at least two thirds of the sentence - 16 years - behind bars.
Wood must comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and sign on the Sex Offenders Register for life.
Speaking after the case, an NSPCC spokesperson said: "Wood's victim has had to live for many years with the knowledge and harmful impact of his campaign of sexual abuse against her.
"We hope that his conviction and sentencing brings her some solace, and that she is receiving the support she needs to address the effects of his abuse upon her life.
"This case highlights that people who speak out about sexual abuse will be listened to and justice can be achieved, regardless of how long ago the offence took place.
"Any adult who has been affected by child sexual abuse can contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk. Children can call Childline on 0800 1111."
Teacher convicted as paedo more than decade after
he walked free from court
Neil Francis, 46, was found guilty of 19 counts of sexual assault and
eight counts of indecent assault following a court trial
dailyrecord
A teacher has been convicted of historic child sexual abuse, over a decade since he was cleared of sexually touching three young children.
Neil Francis, 46, was found guilty of 19 counts of sexual assault and eight counts of indecent assault following a court trial.
Francis, formerly of East Cowton, sexually and indecently assaulted 11 female students while working as a teacher in Milton Keynes during the 2000s.
Teesside Live reports that in June 2009, Francis walked free from Teesside Crown Court after a jury took just 45 minutes to unanimously acquit him of eight counts of sexual assault.
The defendant had been accused of touching three girls under the age of 13 in a sexual way, stroking or rubbing their arms, legs, backs or hair.
However eight years after that verdict, fresh offences were reported to Thames Valley Police. Officers then charged Francis in February 2021.
Detective Constable Michele Weston, of the Child Abuse Investigation Unit, based at Milton Keynes police station, said: "This investigation has taken four years to complete and involved the tenacity of several police officers and members of staff.
47 Canadians arrested, 6 in Toronto, following New Zealand-led probe
into 'horrific' online child abuse
Police say 12 children removed from abusive situations across Canada
CBC News ·
Posted: Mar 02, 2022 11:24 AM ET
Insp. Justin Vander Heyden, commander of Toronto police's sex crimes unit, shares the findings of Operation H, a global investigation that ended in the safeguarding of 146 children. (Toronto Police Service)
The RCMP says a dozen children have been brought to safety and almost 50 people have been arrested countrywide as part of a long-running global investigation into "disturbing" child abuse images shared online.
At a Wednesday morning news conference, Toronto police detailed its role in "Operation H," which was launched in October 2019 by New Zealand's child exploitation team after a service provider found thousands of users of an online platform sharing child sexual abuse material online.
"This material depicted some of the most horrific abuse of children investigators had ever seen," said Deputy Chief of Police Myron Demkiw at a Wednesday morning news conference.
New Zealand authorities said in a statement that the child abuse material "is some of the most egregious investigators have been exposed to. Many of the children featured in the images and videos were just infants who were exposed to obvious and intentional pain and suffering."
New Zealand investigators co-ordinated with police departments worldwide — including the FBI, Europol and Interpol — in an effort to track down online users operating globally.
Authorities say they identified some 90,000 online accounts that had possessed or traded the images of abuse.
"To date, the international investigation has led to the opening of 836 cases internationally, the arrests of 46 individuals across New Zealand, the identification of more than 100 suspects across the EU and the safeguarding of 146 children across the globe," Europol said in a statement.
The RCMP says 12 children have been removed from abusive situations across Canada as a result of the investigation. A total of 47 Canadians have been arrested, the Mounties say, with 186 charges laid.
They say arrests have been made in eight provinces over the past two years, and note the investigation is still underway.
Here in Toronto, police arrested and charged six men, ranging in ages from 31 to 41.
Insp. Justin Vander Heyden, commander of the Toronto police sex crimes unit, says the men were charged with a total of 18 offences related to the possession, access and distribution of child sexual abuse material.
Heyden says four of those men still remain before the courts, one has been convicted, and one has died.
Demkiw underscored the need to address child exploitation as a global issue, one the internet exacerbates by allowing offenders to commit these violent acts "anytime, anywhere."
"Because these criminals operate across international borders, so too must the police," he said.
Police are urging anyone who comes across online child abuse to visit Cybertip.ca, Canada's tipline for reporting online child sexual abuse and exploitation.
This is just the tip of a very large iceberg and Canada is doing very little to expose the rest of it. Of course, children almost always pay the price for man's perversity, but they are also paying the price for the government's complete neglect.
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