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Berkhamsted paedophile network

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In 2016, police discovered a child sex abuse network run from Berkhamsted in Hertfordshire, England. Eight of the men were convicted[1][2] and some received significant prison sentences.

The discovery resulted in a police investigation in 2017 which helped to uncover many other child abusers worldwide.[1]

Operation Pendent

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Operation Pendent was a child sex abuse investigation in 2017 into the Berkhamsted network; it was led by Hertfordshire Constabulary, and helped to uncover many other child abusers worldwide.[1] One suspect in the United States was arrested within 48 hours of information being passed to Homeland Security.[1]

Media restrictions

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For much of 2017, media reporting on the criminal proceedings members of the network was under reporting restrictions. Restrictions were lifted on 20 December 2017, when six offenders were sentenced.[1][3] A seventh was jailed in February 2018.[4]

Sentences

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Perpetrator Conviction(s) Sentence
Michael Emerton (leader)[5] Rape of a child (4 counts), inciting a child to partake in sexual activity (3 counts), conspiring with others to rape or commit sex acts with or in front of a child Nine life sentences[1]
Bruce Child Rape of a child, indecently assaulting a child younger than 16, grooming a 12-year-old child, making indecent photographs of children taken from the internet. 18 years, 6 years concurrently, 3 years[2][6]
Thomas Perry Conspiring to rape a child younger than 13, planning sex acts with a child younger than 13, causing a child to witness sexual activity 14 years[1][3][4]
Paul Stevens Conspiracy to rape a child younger than 13, planning sex acts with a child younger than 13 10 years[1]
Matthew Webby Sexual acts with a child (2 counts), conspiring to rape a child, planning sex acts with a child, possessing indecent images of children 9 years[1]
Robert Lindsay Conspiring to rape a child, planning sex acts with a child, inciting the sexual exploitation of a child, making indecent photographs of a child 7½ years[1][7]
Simon Wintle Sexual activity in front of a child 2½ years[1]
David Overall Accessing and distributing indecent photographs of children 2 years[1][8]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Paedophile ring jailed for online abuse of children". Hertfordshire Constabulary. 21 December 2017. Archived from the original on 31 December 2018. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
    - "Paedophile ring jailed for online abuse of children - Hertfordshire". Crown Prosecution Service. 20 December 2017. Archived from the original on 27 December 2018. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
    - "Berkhamsted paedophile ring boss given nine life terms". BBC News. 21 December 2017. Archived from the original on 19 October 2018. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Caretaker tried to meet girl, 12, for sex". The Argus. 29 March 2017. Archived from the original on 25 January 2019. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
    - "Bexhill pervert jailed for grooming schoolgirl". Bexhill Observer. 29 March 2017. Archived from the original on 29 March 2017. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  3. ^ a b Clugston, Harriet (21 December 2017). "Five members of 'merciless' Hertfordshire paedophile ring jailed". Hertfordshire Mercury. Archived from the original on 11 March 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
  4. ^ a b "'Depraved' supermarket boss jailed for web rape plot of young customer". Hemel Today. 20 February 2018. Archived from the original on 20 February 2018. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
    - "Northchurch man sentenced after planning to rape schoolgirl". Mix 96. 20 February 2018. Archived from the original on 31 December 2018. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  5. ^ "Paedophile ring boss admits more crimes". BBC News. 1 May 2019. Archived from the original on 15 June 2019.
  6. ^ "East Sussex man gets 18-year sentence for child sex offences". Sussex Police. 11 May 2018. Archived from the original on 31 December 2018. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
    - "Bexhill man jailed for child sex offences". Bexhill Observer. 10 May 2018. Archived from the original on 10 May 2018. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  7. ^ Whieldon, Fraser (29 March 2018). "Paedophile to be kept off the streets for two more years". Herts Advertiser. Archived from the original on 11 May 2018. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
    - "Hertfordshire paedophile will spend longer in jail". GOV.UK. 6 March 2018. Archived from the original on 31 December 2018. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
  8. ^ Elvery, Martin (8 October 2017). "Stevenage paedophile admits making and sharing indecent images of children". The Comet. Archived from the original on 6 February 2018. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
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