Menu
22/06/2006
Sex offender caught via anti-paedophile website is jailed
A sex offender, who was caught through a police anti-paedophile website, has been jailed for nine years.
Lee Costi, 21, a media student from Haslemere, Surrey, was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday, after he admitted meeting schoolgirls after grooming them for sex.
Costi was the first person to be caught through a new international police agency website - part of the Virtual Global Taskforce operation - which allows children targeted by paedophiles to report their abusers.
The court heard how Costi met two girls, aged 13 and 14, through internet chatrooms and arranged to meet them for sex.
The 14-year-old spent the night with Costi in a hotel in Swindon in August 2004, while the younger girl had sex with Costi in January last year in an alleyway near London's Waterloo Station.
Costi was eventually arrested after he arranged to meet another 14-year-old girl at Nottingham railway station. However, the girl had told her mother about Costi and alerted police through the anti-paedophile website.
Costi was charged with three counts of sexual activity with a child, two counts of making indecent images of children and possession of over 40 indecent images of children.
At sentencing Judge Jonathan Teare told Costi that he had a "totally unhealthy and depraved interest in young girls". He said: "Those girls who you talked to and abused were 13 or 14, but I have seen some of the images on your computer and that shows a totally depraved interest in girls very much younger."
(KMcA/SP)
Lee Costi, 21, a media student from Haslemere, Surrey, was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday, after he admitted meeting schoolgirls after grooming them for sex.
Costi was the first person to be caught through a new international police agency website - part of the Virtual Global Taskforce operation - which allows children targeted by paedophiles to report their abusers.
The court heard how Costi met two girls, aged 13 and 14, through internet chatrooms and arranged to meet them for sex.
The 14-year-old spent the night with Costi in a hotel in Swindon in August 2004, while the younger girl had sex with Costi in January last year in an alleyway near London's Waterloo Station.
Costi was eventually arrested after he arranged to meet another 14-year-old girl at Nottingham railway station. However, the girl had told her mother about Costi and alerted police through the anti-paedophile website.
Costi was charged with three counts of sexual activity with a child, two counts of making indecent images of children and possession of over 40 indecent images of children.
At sentencing Judge Jonathan Teare told Costi that he had a "totally unhealthy and depraved interest in young girls". He said: "Those girls who you talked to and abused were 13 or 14, but I have seen some of the images on your computer and that shows a totally depraved interest in girls very much younger."
(KMcA/SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
15 April 2003
New measures to curb sex tourism revealed
Registered sex offenders who travel abroad will have to notify the police if they plan to be away for three days or more, under new measure designed to tighten laws governing sex offenders. The government's Sexual Offences Bill today which will also see sex offenders required to give the police seven days notice of their intention to travel.
New measures to curb sex tourism revealed
Registered sex offenders who travel abroad will have to notify the police if they plan to be away for three days or more, under new measure designed to tighten laws governing sex offenders. The government's Sexual Offences Bill today which will also see sex offenders required to give the police seven days notice of their intention to travel.
16 August 2010
Government 'To Axe Mixed-Sex Hospital Wards'
Mixed-sex hospital wards are to be axed in England by the end of the year, the government has announced. Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said that he had repeatedly expressed "deep frustration" that the practice had not been stopped and said: "Eliminating mixed-sex accommodation is in patients' best interests.
Government 'To Axe Mixed-Sex Hospital Wards'
Mixed-sex hospital wards are to be axed in England by the end of the year, the government has announced. Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said that he had repeatedly expressed "deep frustration" that the practice had not been stopped and said: "Eliminating mixed-sex accommodation is in patients' best interests.
03 March 2010
Sex Offender Identity Scheme Widens
More parents across the UK have been given the power to identify convicted paedophiles in their community. Home Secretary Alan Johnson said the scheme will improve protection for children by giving members of the public a formal mechanism to enquire about those in contact with young people.
Sex Offender Identity Scheme Widens
More parents across the UK have been given the power to identify convicted paedophiles in their community. Home Secretary Alan Johnson said the scheme will improve protection for children by giving members of the public a formal mechanism to enquire about those in contact with young people.
18 March 2015
Man Jailed For Child Sex Offence
A man has been found guilty of arranging the facilitation of a child sex offence while he was working in the South Pole. Simon Rouen, 36 and from Redruth in Cornwall, had communicated with two undercover police officers and had expressed a desire to sexually abuse an eight-year-old girl.
Man Jailed For Child Sex Offence
A man has been found guilty of arranging the facilitation of a child sex offence while he was working in the South Pole. Simon Rouen, 36 and from Redruth in Cornwall, had communicated with two undercover police officers and had expressed a desire to sexually abuse an eight-year-old girl.
10 June 2013
January Trial Date For Actor Bill Roache
January 13 has been set as the trial date for Coronation Street actor Bill Roache. 81-year-old Roache faces 7 charges of historical sexual abuse, including two counts of rape against a 15-year-old and five counts of indecent assault against four girls aged between 11 and 16.
January Trial Date For Actor Bill Roache
January 13 has been set as the trial date for Coronation Street actor Bill Roache. 81-year-old Roache faces 7 charges of historical sexual abuse, including two counts of rape against a 15-year-old and five counts of indecent assault against four girls aged between 11 and 16.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
