September 2012
Mother’s fury at jail sentence for pervert from Runcorn and Widnes who had sex with teddies in front of children
THERE were angry outbursts as a paedophile from Runcorn was jailed for 18 months.
Gary Paul Smith, 30, pleaded guilty to 17 counts of engaging in sexual activity in front of a child, voyeurism and exposure.
Warrington crown court heard that Smith, formerly of Tildsley Crescent, used children’s toys during the offences and also spied on his victims with a camera over a seven year period.
He was convicted in relation to three victims.
He denied one charge of sexual activity in the presence of a toddler and the charge was dropped.
Mike Stephenson, prosecuting, and Judge Roger Dutton, agreed not to pursue that allegation because they said a conviction would not have increased Smith’s sentence.
The child in question had actually sparked the investigation into Smith after she accused him of exposing himself.
Gareth Roberts, defending, described his client’s crimes as ‘despicable’.
Judge Dutton told Smith: “You abused their position by satisfying yourself sexually to their expense.
“The fact is that on none of the occasions did you ever go as far as personal touching.
“If that had been the case the sentence would have been very substantially greater.”
He added: “You should be terribly ashamed of yourself.”
He sentenced him to 18 months in prison, having reduced his terms by a third due to his guilty plea.
He said the maximum term for engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child is two-and-a-half years according to current sentencing guidelines.
Smith also received 12 months for two counts of voyeurism and eight months for two counts of exposure, all to run concurrently.
The sentence was greeted with an angry outburst from the public gallery.
And speaking after the hearing, the mother of the child who raised the alarm also blasted the sentence.
She told the Weekly News: “With the 91 days on remand taken off, he’ll be out walking the streets in five months.
“It’s an absolute shambles.
“People wonder why victims don’t come forward when they’re getting abused.”
Smith was also banned from working or being alone around children.
He must also report to the police on a regular basis for 10 years following his release.