Alasdair MacArthur – Ledbury

01 Thursday Oct 2020

Posted by Author in Herefordshire

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September 2020

Ledbury pensioner tried to pay child for sex

A pensioner who attempted to pay a child for sex has avoided prison after one of his victims wouldn’t press charges.

Alasdair MacArthur, who lives in Ledbury but has links to Worcester, was sentenced at Worcester Crown Court after he admitted four charges relating to sexual offences against children.

It is understood the judge told the 81 year-old of Orchard Lane that he was being spared jail time only because one of his victims refused to prosecute.

Instead, he was given a three-year community order and fine. He must also sign the sex offenders’ register.

Macarthur admitted making an indecent image of a child, attempting to cause a child between the ages of 13 and 15 to engage in sexual activity, attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child and attempting to pay for sexual service with a child between the ages of 13 and 15.

It is understood MacArthur was caught in an online “sting” by police and had been communicating with boys in online chatrooms before the images were discovered.

MacArthur pleaded guilty to the charges at Hereford Magistrates Court and the case was sent to Worcester Crown due to the severity of the charges. He was sentenced there on September 24.

Though MacArthur avoided going to prison, he was handed a three-year community order, 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days and was ordered to attend a sexual offences programme.

In addition, he was fined £300, in addition to court costs of £340 and an £85 victim surcharge.

Genival Selvoni – Hereford

19 Wednesday Aug 2020

Posted by Author in Herefordshire

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August 2020

Hereford paedophile jailed for voyeurism and sexual assaults

A taxi driver has been jailed after installing secret spy cameras in other people’s homes to record his child victims.

Genival Selvoni, of Grandison Rise, Tupsley, Hereford, set up a discreet and sophisticated recording system inside the homes of friends and acquaintances.

Worcester Crown Court heard this week that working cameras were hidden in the shower room, living room and bedroom of one of Selvoni’s victims.

Cameras installed in a second home, however, were discovered before Selvoni had made them fully operational.

Selvoni, who admitted voyeurism, appeared via video link from prison on Monday for sentencing. He appeared emotional as the judge jailed him for 28 months and placed him on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years.

The judge said the high-tech cameras showed a high-level of planning and organisation on Selvoni’s part. As well as admitting voyeurism, Selvoni – known to friends as Val – also pleaded guilty to the sexual abuse of two girls.

Selvoni, a Brazilian who also has Italian citizenship, further admitted making indecent photographs of children.

Police were first called when one of his two child victims told her parents that she had been abused by Selvoni.

Officers confiscated the married father-of-one’s mobile phone and found more than 2,500 indecent photographs and videos that he had downloaded from the internet, some showing very young children being sexually abused.

Further investigations uncovered the spy cameras in the homes before Selvoni was arrested and charged. Selvoni, a frequent churchgoer in Hereford, admitted the offences

Benjamin Hollins – Ledbury/Dymock

31 Friday Jul 2020

Posted by Author in Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Hunting Team

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July 2020

‘Manipulative’ Ledbury sex offender caught by ‘paedophile hunters’

A ‘manipulative’ sex offender who tried to contact underage girls was caught by paedophile hunters using fake Facebook profiles.

Benjamin Hollins, previously of New Street, Ledbury, had previously admitted four counts of attempted sexual communication with a child when he was formally arraigned at Worcester Crown Court.

However, in reality he had not been in touch with real but so-called ‘paedophile hunters’.

The first offence happened between March 3 and March 23 this year, the second on December 13 last year, the third between February 26 and March 3 this year and the fourth on March 24 this year.

The messages were described in the particulars of the offences, read out by the clerk in open court, as ‘sexually inappropriate messages’ sent via Facebook Messenger.

The 25-year-old, who now has a curfew address in Western Way, Dymock, Gloucestershire, appeared again at the city’s crown court on Thursday.

Judge Martin Jackson said: “This is a case of a defendant who has indulged in really quite unpleasant, manipulative behaviour to those he believed to be young girls.”

The judge said the defendant had even threatened to kill himself if they did not reply to his messages and that he had later claimed his Facebook account had been ‘hacked’.

He adjourned the case until September 25 to allow time for medical records to be produced. However, he warned Hollins: “I’m not making any promise as to what the eventual outcome of this case will be. That will be down to the judge who sentences you.”

Hollins was bailed to remain at his Gloucestershire address and must remain on an electronically monitored curfew between 9pm and 7am.

He must not to attend an address in Ledbury and must not to have contact with any child under 16 via the internet or any form of social media unless supervised by an appropriate person approved by social services.

He is also not to undertake any activities, paid or unpaid, which involve contact with any child under 16.

Colin Wilkes – Hereford

24 Friday Jul 2020

Posted by Author in Herefordshire, Teacher

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July 2020

Former Hereford Cathedral School teacher admits sex charge

A former teacher at a Hereford school has admitted sexual activity with a child by someone in a position of trust.

Colin Wilkes, a former teacher at Hereford Cathedral School, appeared at Worcester Crown Court today (Thursday) where he admitted a string of sexual offences against a single victim.

The 57-year-old former art teacher of Wyevale Way, Stretton Sugwas, Hereford, admitted five counts of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust.

Some of the counts on the indictment contained ‘multiple incident counts’ which means that, though there is a single charge, it reflects activity that took place on more than one occasion.

The first count involved kissing the young woman when the girl was under the age of 18 (17 years old).

The second count was a ‘like offence’ also involving sexual activity, touching her intimately ‘on at least three occasions’. The third count also involved sexual on at least three occasions.

The fourth count involved a sex act being performed upon him on at least three occasions. The fifth count involved full sex on at least three occasions.

All the offences happened more than 10 years ago.

Wilkes will be sentenced at Worcester Crown Court on Friday, September 4.

He was granted bail on condition he has no contact, either directly or indirectly, with the complainant and remains at his home address, which was read out in court.

Because he now stands convicted he must also register as a sex offender and is subject to notification requirements. He must inform police of his name, address and date of birth within three days.

Judge Martin Jackson adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report to be prepared by the probation service but said his decision to adjourn ‘isn’t a promise of the sort of sentence you’re likely to receive at the end of this case’.

He warned Wilkes: “You need to be prepared to receive a sentence of immediate imprisonment.”

Kamil Kopec – Hereford

24 Friday Jan 2020

Posted by Author in Herefordshire

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January 2020

Thug jailed for 21 years for attempted murder of mum and baby

A twisted monster who tried to stab a mum and baby to death in their home leaving them with some of the worst injuries police had ever seen has been jailed for 21 years.

Kamil Kopec, of Hunderton Avenue, Hereford, was convicted and handed the prison term on Thursday, January 23, at Worcester Crown Court following a four-day trial. He admitted his guilt on the final day.

He was also convicted for possession of a knife.

The brave mother was praised by West Mercia Police after she managed to escape from a window with her child despite serious injuries.

The court heard that at around 3am on Wednesday, July 24 last year, police investigated a call alerting them to reports of a mother and her nine-month-old baby who had both received stab wounds.

The tot had a cut to the head and the mum suffered multiple wounds including a stab wound and cut to her neck.

Both were stabilised by paramedics and rushed to hospital for treatment.

Officers searched the property and the local area while a fire service drone was also flown to help find the man and his dog.

Kopec, 28, was found shortly after in a nearby bush with his dog. A knife was also recovered.

Senior Investigating Officer at Hereford CID, Detective Inspector Mark Peters, said: “These were some of the worst injuries I have seen, Kopec committed this horrific attack in the victim’s home locking them inside. The mother showed great resilience and bravery in escaping via a window and gaining help from her neighbours.

“The mother’s bravery, neighbours quick thinking and paramedics’ life- saving work, along with officers on the scene that found and arrested Kopec quickly, should all be commended”

September 2020

Ledbury pensioner tried to pay child for sex

A pensioner who attempted to pay a child for sex has avoided prison after one of his victims wouldn’t press charges.

Alasdair MacArthur, who lives in Ledbury but has links to Worcester, was sentenced at Worcester Crown Court after he admitted four charges relating to sexual offences against children.

It is understood the judge told the 81 year-old of Orchard Lane that he was being spared jail time only because one of his victims refused to prosecute.

Instead, he was given a three-year community order and fine. He must also sign the sex offenders’ register.

Macarthur admitted making an indecent image of a child, attempting to cause a child between the ages of 13 and 15 to engage in sexual activity, attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child and attempting to pay for sexual service with a child between the ages of 13 and 15.

It is understood MacArthur was caught in an online “sting” by police and had been communicating with boys in online chatrooms before the images were discovered.

MacArthur pleaded guilty to the charges at Hereford Magistrates Court and the case was sent to Worcester Crown due to the severity of the charges. He was sentenced there on September 24.

Though MacArthur avoided going to prison, he was handed a three-year community order, 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days and was ordered to attend a sexual offences programme.

In addition, he was fined £300, in addition to court costs of £340 and an £85 victim surcharge.

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August 2020

Hereford paedophile jailed for voyeurism and sexual assaults

A taxi driver has been jailed after installing secret spy cameras in other people’s homes to record his child victims.

Genival Selvoni, of Grandison Rise, Tupsley, Hereford, set up a discreet and sophisticated recording system inside the homes of friends and acquaintances.

Worcester Crown Court heard this week that working cameras were hidden in the shower room, living room and bedroom of one of Selvoni’s victims.

Cameras installed in a second home, however, were discovered before Selvoni had made them fully operational.

Selvoni, who admitted voyeurism, appeared via video link from prison on Monday for sentencing. He appeared emotional as the judge jailed him for 28 months and placed him on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years.

The judge said the high-tech cameras showed a high-level of planning and organisation on Selvoni’s part. As well as admitting voyeurism, Selvoni – known to friends as Val – also pleaded guilty to the sexual abuse of two girls.

Selvoni, a Brazilian who also has Italian citizenship, further admitted making indecent photographs of children.

Police were first called when one of his two child victims told her parents that she had been abused by Selvoni.

Officers confiscated the married father-of-one’s mobile phone and found more than 2,500 indecent photographs and videos that he had downloaded from the internet, some showing very young children being sexually abused.

Further investigations uncovered the spy cameras in the homes before Selvoni was arrested and charged. Selvoni, a frequent churchgoer in Hereford, admitted the offences

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July 2020

‘Manipulative’ Ledbury sex offender caught by ‘paedophile hunters’

A ‘manipulative’ sex offender who tried to contact underage girls was caught by paedophile hunters using fake Facebook profiles.

Benjamin Hollins, previously of New Street, Ledbury, had previously admitted four counts of attempted sexual communication with a child when he was formally arraigned at Worcester Crown Court.

However, in reality he had not been in touch with real but so-called ‘paedophile hunters’.

The first offence happened between March 3 and March 23 this year, the second on December 13 last year, the third between February 26 and March 3 this year and the fourth on March 24 this year.

The messages were described in the particulars of the offences, read out by the clerk in open court, as ‘sexually inappropriate messages’ sent via Facebook Messenger.

The 25-year-old, who now has a curfew address in Western Way, Dymock, Gloucestershire, appeared again at the city’s crown court on Thursday.

Judge Martin Jackson said: “This is a case of a defendant who has indulged in really quite unpleasant, manipulative behaviour to those he believed to be young girls.”

The judge said the defendant had even threatened to kill himself if they did not reply to his messages and that he had later claimed his Facebook account had been ‘hacked’.

He adjourned the case until September 25 to allow time for medical records to be produced. However, he warned Hollins: “I’m not making any promise as to what the eventual outcome of this case will be. That will be down to the judge who sentences you.”

Hollins was bailed to remain at his Gloucestershire address and must remain on an electronically monitored curfew between 9pm and 7am.

He must not to attend an address in Ledbury and must not to have contact with any child under 16 via the internet or any form of social media unless supervised by an appropriate person approved by social services.

He is also not to undertake any activities, paid or unpaid, which involve contact with any child under 16.

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July 2020

Former Hereford Cathedral School teacher admits sex charge

A former teacher at a Hereford school has admitted sexual activity with a child by someone in a position of trust.

Colin Wilkes, a former teacher at Hereford Cathedral School, appeared at Worcester Crown Court today (Thursday) where he admitted a string of sexual offences against a single victim.

The 57-year-old former art teacher of Wyevale Way, Stretton Sugwas, Hereford, admitted five counts of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust.

Some of the counts on the indictment contained ‘multiple incident counts’ which means that, though there is a single charge, it reflects activity that took place on more than one occasion.

The first count involved kissing the young woman when the girl was under the age of 18 (17 years old).

The second count was a ‘like offence’ also involving sexual activity, touching her intimately ‘on at least three occasions’. The third count also involved sexual on at least three occasions.

The fourth count involved a sex act being performed upon him on at least three occasions. The fifth count involved full sex on at least three occasions.

All the offences happened more than 10 years ago.

Wilkes will be sentenced at Worcester Crown Court on Friday, September 4.

He was granted bail on condition he has no contact, either directly or indirectly, with the complainant and remains at his home address, which was read out in court.

Because he now stands convicted he must also register as a sex offender and is subject to notification requirements. He must inform police of his name, address and date of birth within three days.

Judge Martin Jackson adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report to be prepared by the probation service but said his decision to adjourn ‘isn’t a promise of the sort of sentence you’re likely to receive at the end of this case’.

He warned Wilkes: “You need to be prepared to receive a sentence of immediate imprisonment.”

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January 2020

Thug jailed for 21 years for attempted murder of mum and baby

A twisted monster who tried to stab a mum and baby to death in their home leaving them with some of the worst injuries police had ever seen has been jailed for 21 years.

Kamil Kopec, of Hunderton Avenue, Hereford, was convicted and handed the prison term on Thursday, January 23, at Worcester Crown Court following a four-day trial. He admitted his guilt on the final day.

He was also convicted for possession of a knife.

The brave mother was praised by West Mercia Police after she managed to escape from a window with her child despite serious injuries.

The court heard that at around 3am on Wednesday, July 24 last year, police investigated a call alerting them to reports of a mother and her nine-month-old baby who had both received stab wounds.

The tot had a cut to the head and the mum suffered multiple wounds including a stab wound and cut to her neck.

Both were stabilised by paramedics and rushed to hospital for treatment.

Officers searched the property and the local area while a fire service drone was also flown to help find the man and his dog.

Kopec, 28, was found shortly after in a nearby bush with his dog. A knife was also recovered.

“The mother’s bravery, neighbours quick thinking and paramedics’ life- saving work, along with officers on the scene that found and arrested Kopec quickly, should all be commended”

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