Web Paedophiles Not Being Treated, says Probation Officers' Union

Sentencing for online sex offenders is too lenient and many are failing to undergo proper treatment, the probation officers' union Napo has said.

It warned high risk paedophiles were not being locked up long enough to take part in rehabilitation courses.

One man caught with 24,000 indecent images, including serious abuse pictures, was given 12 months and not made to follow an intensive programme.

The Prison Service said sentencing was "entirely a matter for the courts".

'Minimise risk'

The maximum prison term for web paedophiles at the Crown Court is 10 years.

Napo's report uncovered jail sentences of less than a year and community punishment for those caught in possession of child sex abuse material.

It said the enforcement of offender programmes was too lax despite recommendations from probation officers.

Assistant general secretary, Harry Fletcher, said: "In Napo's view it is inappropriate that either no treatment, or sentences too short for treatment, are handed out by the courts.

"There is evidence that treatment in prison, followed by relapse follow-up on licence in the community, is effective and reduces reoffending.

"These are not victimless crimes. There is an urgent need to review sentencing practice and law to ensure that risk to children is minimised."

The report contained evidence of 68 cases from 20 probation areas across England and Wales.

In one case, a man caught with 21,000 child sex images was given an 18-month term with no treatment attached.

A Prison Service spokesman said: "Sentencing in individual cases is entirely a matter for the courts.

"Sex offender treatment programmes are delivered in prison and the community while the offender is on licence or under a community order."

SEX OFFENDERS BEHIND BARS
About 7,500 sex offenders are currently in prison
Sex offender treatment programmes are available in 26 out of the 140 jails in England and Wales
About 2,400 paedophiles were treated on the Prison Service's treatment programme last year
Source: Prison Service

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8591310.stm

Here's one such case:-

Mum groomed sex show girl... but goes free

15 Jan 2009

A MUM-of-four who groomed a 13-year-old girl to perform live sex shows on the internet escaped a jail term yesterday.

Former ballet dancer Zanythe Harrison, 28, got just three years' probation for directing the vile webcam displays for paedophiles across the globe.

Twisted Harrison gave the schoolgirl access to a computer, positioned the camera, provided her costumes and offered her tips on how to look seductive as she performed sex acts.

When Harrison herself told cops what was going on, she claimed a mystery man was behind the plot - and was shocked when she was charged, Greenock Sheriff Court heard.

Disgust

But Sheriff Vincent Canavan said that her part in informing police was one reason he would not send her to prison.

He said: "I have decided at this time not to jail the accused because of her previous good character, her genuine regret and disgust and her role in telling the police and enabling these matters to be brought to light and her assistance to the police."

But as he ordered her to go on the sex offenders' register, he warned her if she stepped out of line again, it was "inevitable a substantial jail sentence will follow as night follows day".

The webcam shows took place in a house in Rothesay, on the holiday island of Bute, between October and November 2006.

Harrison, of Greenock, admitted she told her victim about an adult website and encouraged her to perform. But her lawyer Tony Lenaghan insisted a man from England dubbed Mr X was the main culprit.

He said: "He is the driving force behind the escalation of matters.

Charming

"At the start she simply thinks she has found a friend in this chap."

He described Mr X as a "charming" and manipulative man who had gained the confidence of the accused, the victim's mother and the victim.

It is understood Mr X lured the victim into taking part by promising her gifts of Playboy merchandise.

The court heard Harrison made no cash and gained no sexual gratification from the web shows.

When Harrison expressed concern that the set-up was getting out of hand, she was allegedly subjected to terrifying threats. The court heard Harrison had tried to warn the victim's mum about Mr X - but she refused to believe the claims.

Harrison admitted facilitating the vile crime but charges specifying the girl's sex acts were dropped.

The victim's mother, who moved to Scotland with her family to escape crime in their English home town, broke down in tears and refused to comment after sentencing.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/2133995/Mum-groomed-sex-show-girl-but-goes-free.html


How girl was groomed for sex shows by a female family friend

04 Mar 2010

LITTLE Heather was delighted when she was asked to "dress up" in front of the camera.

It seemed like an exciting new game for the 13-year-old to enjoy.

The pretty blonde was with her best pal, so was just happy to play along.

But Heather's game quickly turned into a nightmare when she was encouraged to STRIP then perform degrading sex acts for perverts across the world on the internet.

Heather - whose name we have changed - was systematically groomed for a life of porn.

She even believed she would earn packets of cash that she could give to her MUM.

But the reality was a sordid sex scheme that left her so disturbed that she contemplated killing herself.

Four years later, gutsy Heather is finally able to open up about the sex case that will shock parents across Scotland.

She was just 13 when mum-of-four Zanythe Harrison encouraged her to put on raunchy webcam displays.

Heather used to babysit Harrison's kids and revealed: "Zanythe was my best friend.

"She was like a big sister to me. She gained my trust by treating me like an adult and making me feel grown-up.

"And she lured me in by telling me how much money I could make. I never got any cash for what I did. Zanythe would always say she'd pay me when she got her money through, but never did. My mum has always been a single parent and I've always tried to help her out. I just thought 'we could really do with this money'. That's why I got involved."

Former ballet dancer Harrison, 29, got just three years' probation at Greenock Sheriff Court last year for directing the vile webcam displays.

She gave her victim access to a computer, positioned the camera, provided her with costumes and even offered her tips on how to look SEDUCTIVE.

Heather said: "Zanythe never really explained what was happening. I was just a little girl, so when she suggested I dress up on webcam, I thought she just meant I was going to wear nice clothes.

"I would speak to Zanythe's friend, Mr X, on the phone, and he would send porn for us to watch on the computer. I was shocked by it, but Zanythe would laugh and say 'look at him'.

"One night, Mr X promised me about £2,000 worth of Playboy accessories if I took topless pictures of myself. He said to me 'guys love that'.

"He told me I was gorgeous. I felt special that men found me attractive."

Heather admitted she could hardly remember her first webcam performance because she was so DRUNK after Harrison plied her with booze.

She said: "I had had a couple of drinks, which I wasn't used to because I was so young. I don't even know who I was performing for. It was mostly people in England, but there was one guy in France and a couple in America.

"It became a regular thing. Zanythe had sex toys hidden under the floorboards of her bedroom, which she would give to me and tell me how to use them.

"She used to be a dancer, so she would also give me her old catsuits and feather boas to wear while I was performing.

"She taught me how to dance seductively."

Heather told how Harrison eventually crumbled and spoke to the cops.

She added: "I think maybe her guilty conscience kicked in, but she blamed Mr X.

"When it all came out, my mum ordered me to stay inside, but Zanythe came to the door one day and told me we'd get through it together.

"That was the last I saw of her, until she was in court. The police arrested Mr X, but I don't think he was ever charged."

Heather revealed the nightmare did not end there - she was also subjected to terrifying THREATS.

She wept as she said: "For a good six months after Mr X was arrested, I was called at two every morning from a withheld number.

"Sometimes a male voice would say 'I'm coming for you'.

"I was so scared I ended up sleeping beside my mum.

"I'm just waiting for the day he tracks me down.

"I went off the rails. I started drinking, smoking and taking hash. I felt so dirty I wanted to die.

"I was suicidal at one point.

"But now that I'm a bit older, I've finally realised that it wasn't my fault. It's made me a stronger person."

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/scotlandfeatures/2877154/How-girl-was-groomed-for-sex-shows-by-a-female-family-friend.html