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January 2016

Paedophile looked at child abuse images before molesting four children

A sex offender looked at indecent images of children hours before he went on to molest four children in their own home. 

Gary Murphy was locked up for six-and-a-half years after a court heard he “picked off the girls, one by one” and abused them. 

The 29-year-old, from Barrow, admitted he had a deep-rooted sexual interest in children which he satisfied by trawling the internet using search terms such as “hot teen girls”. 

But after binging on indecent images in the early hours of the morning of July 27 last year, Murphy attacked the girls who were at home with their mother when he visited. 

Judge Robert Altham, sentencing yesterday at Preston Crown Court, said: “The offences you committed are extremely serious. They involve serious sexual assaults on little girls.” 

The most serious assault was on the youngest of his victims, who the judge said was least able to speak out about what had happened to her. Forensic evidence taken from the girl’s underwear revealed the extent of the abuse against her. 

 Judge Altham added: “The tarnishing of that young girl was a very cynical act.” 

Murphy’s offences came to light when the oldest girl told her dad she had been abused by Murphy, when her father returned from work. He confronted the sexual predator – who punched him in the face. 

The children’s parents then spoke to them individually and it emerged Murphy had abused each one of them when he had been alone with them. 

Judge Altham said: “That shows an element of predatory conduct and a degree of planning.” 

When officers seized Murphy’s computer and tablet they found 22 category C abuse images and a single category B image. 

The judge continued: “You need to understand that each one of those images represent a child being abused in order to meet a market that you provide. 

“It is clear from the search engine that you had been on a binge of hunting child pornography in the early hours. 

“This indicates a level of compulsion which gives the court a great deal of concern. 

“I find that the manner in which you committed these offences and the fact that you admit to having a long-standing sexual interest in children indicates that you are someone at high risk of reoffending in a similar way in the future.” 

He handed Murphy a six-and-a -half year extended sentence and ordered him to sign on the sex offenders register for life.

Detective Constable Rebecca Joseph, of the South Cumbria Public Protection Unit, said: “These crimes will not be tolerated in Cumbria and I hope the sentence handed out today shows that we will investigate reports of sexual abuse and investigate thoroughly. 

“This case highlights that no matter how old you are, as a victim you will be listened to by our dedicated and professional team and we will work to ensure offenders are brought to justice. 

“This has had a significant impact on the lives of the victims and their families, and we hope that they can now begin to rebuild their lives.”

February 2016

Three man jailed for murdering 14-year-old schoolboy

A knife-obsessed man who murdered a 14-year-old boy whose girlfriend he was infatuated with has been jailed for life, along with his accomplice.

George Thomson and Brahnn Finley, both 19, were both convicted of Jordan Watson’s murder on Friday.

The body of the teenager, who was subjected to a “brutal and sustained” attack, was found in Upperby Cemetery in Carlisle on 15 June.

A third man, Daniel Johnston, was found guilty of manslaughter on Monday.

He was jailed for 10 years, while Thomson and Finley were given minimum terms of 27 and 14 years respectively.

At their trial at Carlisle Crown Court, which lasted four weeks, all three men denied murder. Johnston was cleared of murder but convicted of the lesser charge.

The trial heard Thomson was infatuated with Jordan’s then 14-year-old girlfriend and that he would “kill anyone for her”.

He was obsessed with knives and a cache of almost 70 weapons was found at his home, including a bloodstained Gurkha knife.

Finley and Johnston were present during the murder and there to “lend support” to Thomson, the trial heard.

The trial had heard Jordan had suffered at least nine deep wounds to his head and neck which were likely to have been caused by a sharp-bladed instrument.

They were also told Thomson had an “obsessive desire” for Jordan’s girlfriend and wanted to Jordan “out of the picture”.

After sentencing Jordan’s parents, Mike and Lisa Watson, said the past seven months had been “a living nightmare”.

They added: “Jordan was full of fun and was loved by his family, particularly his younger sister which he was very protective of. We have our own special memories of Jordan which no one can take away from us.

“For the past seven months we have had so many unanswered questions. Every day we question why the life of our 14-year-old child was taken in such a cruel and violent way. We will never see our child grow up and live a full life.

“No sentence will ever truly reflect the deep loss we feel for losing our child Jordan.”

Det Supt Andrew Slattery of Cumbria Police added: “For anyone to die in these circumstances is appalling, but this pre-meditated murder was carried out on a small 14-year-old boy.

“As teenagers do, he looked up to adults as role models and one of those was George Thomson who befriended him. Thomson encouraged Jordan to visit him at home and showed off his collection of weapons.

“He told him exciting stories about his money-making schemes and promised him money in return for helping him with his illicit business. Jordan would have been excited about the prospect of earning what would have been to him huge sums of money.”

Mr Slattery said Thomson’s friendship with Jordan was “a sham” and he would “stop at nothing” to have the boy’s girlfriend for himself.

Thomson, Johnston and Finley posed for a selfie shortly before Jordan was killed

Cumbria Police released a photo of the trio taken in Thomson’s bedroom on the night Jordan was killed.

Mr Slattery said Finley knew Thomson and owed him money after “ripping him off” in a drug deal.

Mr Slattery added: “Finley agreed to pay his debt by helping Thomson out with a job that needed doing and so he took his best friend Daniel Johnston along too.

“That job, which Thomson had planned for weeks, was the murder of Jordan Watson at the cemetery in Upperby.

“Jordan left his home that night in good spirits, no doubt looking forward to spending his money but he never returned. He was murdered in a vicious and sadistic attack which shocked the whole community.”

February 2016

Man found guilty of murdering 14-year-old schoolboy

A teenager has been found guilty of murdering a 14-year-old love rival in a “brutal and sustained” attack in a cemetery.

The victim, Jordan Watson, was found with serious injuries to his head and neck after being lured to the cemetery in Carlisle, Cumbria, in June last year.

George Thomson, 19, was convicted of murder on Friday after a jury at Carlisle crown court heard that he had developed an “obsessive desire” for Jordan’s girlfriend.

The jurors at were told that Thomson’s desire for the 14-year-old girl “festered and grew in intensity” before he decided he wanted Jordan “out of the picture”.

Thomson was said to have lured the schoolboy to the cemetery on the evening of 15 June with an “almost certainly fictional” arrangement to sell some weapons to another man.

When police later searched Thomson’s home they found under his bed a large Gurkha knife with blood on it. Officers also found an “unusually large” quantity of at least 70 knives and weapons including a machete and a cleaver, the court heard.

Simon Medland QC, prosecuting, told jurors during the trial that Jordan’s girlfriend received an “abusive” Facebook message at 11.45pm, purporting to be from Jordan ending their relationship. However, it was Thomson who sent it; Jordan was already dead.

A postmortem examination of Jordan found at least nine deep wounds, at least one of which had gone through his neck tissues to his spine.

The jury reached a unanimous verdict on Thomson. They have not yet reached verdicts on Thomson’s co-defendants, Brahnn Finley, 19, and Daniel Johnston, 20, who it is alleged were present during the murder to “lend support” to Thomson.

Finley and Johnston, both of Carlisle, deny murder. The jury resumed its deliberations after the trial judge, Mr Justice Green, said he could now accept majority verdicts of at least 10-2.

The trial heard Thomson was infatuated with Jordan’s then 14-year-old girlfriend and that he would “kill anyone for her”.

The prosecution said Jordan was subjected to a “brutal and sustained attack”, which left him with “terrible injuries” to his head and neck.

It is alleged Mr Brahnn Finley and Mr Johnston were present during the murder and there to “lend support” to Thomson.

February 2016

Lake District child abuse images man spared jail

POLICE raided a man’s Lake District home and found hundreds of child sexual abuse images in his possession, a court heard.

Leigh Foster, 39, had amassed a large collection of still and moving pictures of children, the youngest aged just six.

Almost 600 of the images recovered were classed in category A – the most serious.

When arrested, Foster made full and frank admissions of his crimes.

He pleaded guilty to 12 counts of making indecent photographs of children and three charges of possessing extreme pornographic images.

His offences were committed between 2008 and 2014.

Foster, of Gallobarrow, Hawkshead, was sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court today (FRI).

He told Judge Barbara Forrester: “I feel ashamed and disgusted at myself. I cannot believe I have ended up like this.”

Foster was given a three-year community order with a supervision requirement, and must attend a sex offender course.

He must abide by the strict terms of a sexual harm prevention order, and was made subject to notification requirements.

In addition, Foster’s case will be reported to the safeguarding authorities, which will consider whether he should be banned from working with children and vulnerable adults.

February 2016

Man admits possessing indecent child images

A man has admitted possessing scores of indecent images of children.

Robert Jackson, 32, appeared at Carlisle Crown Court today (MON).

He entered guilty pleas to three counts of making indecent still photographs of a child.

He also admitted possessing 62 indecent images.

The offences were committed between 23rd April, 2010, and 25th June, 2014.

Some of the images are classed as being in category A – the most serious.

The case was adjourned by Judge Peter Davies, who asked for full background information on Jackson, of Alexander Street, Carlisle.

He is due to be sentenced in April, and in the meantime was remanded on conditional bail.

March 2016

Cumbrian man, 30, groomed girl, 13, online – Avoids prison

A PERVERT attempted to meet a 13-year-old girl for a planned sexual liaison after he groomed her online.

Over the course of a fortnight, Ian Jackson, 30, took part in lewd web conversations despite her age.

Carlisle Crown Court heard that after setting up a meeting at Whitehaven railway station on December 22, Jackson arrived by car with unopened boxes of condoms, a blanket and a bottle of “passion lotion”.

Jackson was arrested and charged with attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming.

He admitted the offence and was given a 16-month jail sentence suspended for two years.

Lisi Ke, prosecuting, said the online exchanges involving Jackson started with simple introductions. However, they became more “sexualised” and eventually turned “very explicit”. This was despite being told she was just 13.

Jackson suggested meeting in secluded places away from prying eyes.

Miss Ke said he told her his vehicle had tinted windows “so no-one could see her getting into the car or what they planned to do”.

The court heard Jackson was a man of previous good character, and had used the website on which he was eventually caught to seek out adult female partners.

His barrister Brendan Burke said Jackson had “vulnerabilities” and was in a “difficult emotional state” at the time following a relationship break-up.

Judge Barbara Forrester suspended the jail sentence because she said an immediate prison term would not allow Jackson, of Main Street, Egremont, to attend a sex offender group work course.

Jackson must complete a 35-day rehabilitation requirement and observe a six-month night time curfew.

March 2016

Man spared jail for downloading child abuse images

CHILDREN as young as two featured in sick illegal images downloaded by a Workington man, a court was told.

Curtis McMullen, 27, was caught out when police raided his home in the town and found a lewd library of pictures.

McMullen had amassed a criminal collection of more than 1,000 still child abuse photographs and 224 movies.

Carlisle Crown Court heard hundreds of these were classed in category A – the most serious – with some showing victims in “visible distress”.

McMullen was found to have deliberately sought out images and shared some with others.

McMullen was sentenced having pleaded guilty to 10 separate charges. He admitted eight counts of making indecent photographs of a child, and two distribution offences – all committed over the course of almost a year.

He was spared a prison sentence by Judge Barbara Forrester

Beccy McGregor, prosecuting, said the offences came to light after police executed a search warrant at McMullen’s Ladies Walk Brewery home on January 13 last year.

A laptop and two memory sticks seized by officers each contained illegal images.

One category A picture had been distributed to another person, with five people receiving a category B image sent by McMullen.

“He was interviewed and admitted to police immediately a sexual interest in children,” said Ms McGregor.

“He admitted viewing images on a laptop and chatting with others on Skype and using file-sharing networks.”

Judge Forrester concluded that McMullen should be given a three-year community order. This, she said, would give him the chance to complete a sex offender help course which would not be possible in prison.

McMullen was made subject to a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years, and must sign the sex offenders’ register for that length of time.

March 2016

Cumbria police sting snares Carlisle man for grooming ‘girl’, 13

A PERVERT sent an indecent image of himself to a 13-year-old girl, saying their online relationship would be their “naughty little secret.”

But unbeknown to 33-year-old Paul Ellis, the person at the other end of the computer was an undercover police officer, whose evidence helped put him in the dock of Carlisle’s magistrates court.

Ellis, of Myddleton Street, Carlisle, entered a guilty plea to attempting to cause a child to look at an image of sexual activity.

Pam Ward, prosecuting, told the court how the investigation began after police got information that the defendant was trying to have an online relationship with a 13-year-old girl.

He contacted the person he thought was the girl involved via a dating website, the court was told.

Mrs Ward said: “The nature of the conversation quickly became sexual in nature and when told she was only 13, he said: ‘Age is just a number,’ and ‘You don’t look 13 – more 16.

“He referred to her as sexy and told her not to tell anyone else about their conversations: ‘Just keep it as our naughty little secret.’ He said that nobody else needed to know anything.”

Ellis’s conversation with the ‘girl’ moved on to what would happen if they were in bed together, and involved clearly sexual details, the court heard.

He then sent the girl pictures of himself on a bed – one clearly showing him in a state of sexual arousal.

He added the message: “Just don’t tell your mum.”

The date of the offence admitted by Ellis, who spoke in court only to confirm his name and enter his plea, was between November 27 last year and January 14 this year.

Ellis was arrested on February 16. Sara Budniak, for the defendant, who works in a shop in Carlisle, said there was a lot of relevant health factors which formed a background to the offence.

District Judge Gerald Chalk told the defendant that his sentencing powers for the admitted offence – which has a sentence starting point of two years custody – were not sufficient.

He sent the case to Carlisle Crown Court for sentencing on April 8.

The judge granted Ellis bail on condition that he does not have any unsupervised contact with any person aged under 16.

In the meantime, the Probation Service will prepare a background report for the Crown Court judge who will pass sentence.

March 2016

Family party DJ exposed as convicted child rapist

A CHILD rapist who served eight years in jail is working as a DJ at parties and weddings.

David Barrie Klein, who now lives in Carlisle was found guilty of indecent assault, gross indecency, attempted rape and rape of the same schoolgirl.

But after being released in 2004, he went into the entertainment business, running a mobile disco service called Starlight.

His website includes several videos of him at parties – one shows young girls dancing near his DJ stand.

It also features reviews from satisfied customers who are unaware of his sordid crimes.

One wrote: “Thanks Dave for an amazing night you were the best ever DJ at my daughter’s 18th, so attentive and accommodating. A great night was had by all.”

Another added: “You did a great job and catered for all ages so that everyone felt included. By the end of the night you felt like part of the family!”

An audio message on the site tells potential clients: “So you wanna dance and have a ball? Give Dave at Starlight a call.”

And Carlisle-based Klein, 56, adds: “My prices are reasonable and my standards and equipment is always to a high standard and regularly upgraded.”

A member of the public who knew about his sordid past blew the whistle on his £150-a-gig business.

They contacted anti-paedophile campaigner Chris, who runs a website tracking freed perverts and this database

The whistleblower said: “He is a Schedule One offender and ruins lives. People should be aware of this dangerous man.”

Schedule One offences are serious sexual and violent crimes carried out against children aged under 18.

At his trial at Leeds Crown Court in 1999 the jury heard the victim say via video link that Klein had “done something wrong to her” almost every week, beginning when she was 11.

Klein later risked fresh trauma for his victim and her family by seeking leave to appeal against his conviction which, if overturned, could have meant the ordeal of a second trial.

But his plea was thrown out with the judge noting it was the prosecution’s case that his crimes were a “catalogue of sickening abuse on a young girl culminating in her rape”, over a period of two years.

The judge concluded: “The issues of fact were fairly put before the jury. They were fully and comprehensibly directed.

“There is, in our view, not a hint that the applicant’s case was not properly put before the court. In our view, the criticisms of the conduct of his defence are unwarranted.”

March 2016

Ex-firefighter jailed for sex attack on girl, 15, in caravan

A RETIRED firefighter has been jailed for carrying out a “terrifying sex attack” on a girl in a caravan.

Christopher Hopkins, a former firefighter, fondled the victim inappropriately when she was just 15 years old.

The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said of the sexual assault carried out in the mid-1980s: “He just carried on as normal. My life as a young person was changed and continues to be changed to this day.”

Preston Crown Court heard how Hopkins, aged 55, of Tower Court, Chapeltown, attacked the woman when she was asleep in a caravan at Windy Harbour Caravan Park in Blackpool, Lancashire.

The victim said in an impact statement she read to the court that she woke to find Hopkins touching her inside her pyjamas.

Shaking as she read, she said: “I have suffered from anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts and attempts in my 20s.

“I can’t remember my teenage years. I have had serious trust issues with men. Even now I have similar thoughts and feelings with men in general.

“I still have flashbacks. I have had counselling sessions to learn coping mechanisms to deal with this.

“I am still unable to go to Blackpool or stay in a caravan for a period of time.

“I have difficulty sleeping in certain positions.

“Perhaps the biggest thing is the effect it has had on my relationships in my family. I have felt isolated from them.

“As I was being assaulted I was absolutely terrified. I have never been so terrified before or since.

“He had no respect for me. He just did what he wanted to do, so much so that I don’t think he even felt guilty the next day.”

Following the attack Hopkins was confronted by members of the woman’s family but denied the allegations.

In October last year – after counselling – the woman made a complaint to Lancashire Police, who launched an investigation.

Hopkins was arrested in December and told police the woman had “an axe to grind”.

However he later requested a second interview where he admitted he had indecently assaulted her — saying he it was “a drunken moment of madness” but that it was no excuse.

The court heard Hopkins, previously of Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, served as a firefighter for 30 years and was well regarded in the community.

Hopkins was convicted of two counts of indecent assault on a female at Blackpool Magistrates’ Court on January 27.

Judge Jacqueline Beech sentenced the 55-year-old to six months in jail.

She told him: “If you had admitted your offending at that stage this matter would have been dealt with 30 years ago.

“The delay in cases such as this can not and does not reduce the sentence.

“You could have admitted these offences at any stage. This was not a case where you were immature at the time.

“You were 24 and knew exactly what you were doing as the adult in respect of a 15 year old girl.

“This is a graphic account of how sexual offences blight the lives of victims.”