A Berkhamsted Paedophile, Michael Emerton, and his paedophile friends were caught under the code “Operation Pendent” the constabulary’s child safeguarding squad carrying out the biggest-ever investigation. Nine life sentences have been awarded to a man running an internet paedophile network.
Using dating services, Michael Emerton, 33, from Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, arranged the abuse with other males.
Luton Crown Court heard he planned to meet the other males and participate in sex activities in front of children and arrange the live streaming of abuse of children via a video link on different occasions.
Five more males were also imprisoned.
Michael Emerton confessed twenty charges, including four counts of rape of a child and three of encouraging a juvenile to participate in sexual conduct, and in March was given seven life terms, for which he must serve a minimum of nearly ten years. Only now can this be reported.
After confessing to charges, including planning with the other defendants to rape, commit sexual behaviour with a minor or engage in sexual activity in the presence of a child, he was sentenced to two more life terms on Wednesday. His whole life will be spent on licence.
November 2016 saw Michael Emerton arrested and his computer equipment taken after another force informed Hertfordshire police.
His forensic investigation turned up the usage of dating or social networking websites.
Police found hundreds of more child abusers in this nation and abroad who had been contacting each other via websites including Grindr, TruNude, and Skype in the largest-ever investigation the Hertfordshire Child Online Safeguarding Team performed.
Judge Michael Kay QC said the case was “so shocking” that it “undermines one’s faith in humanity”.
“Never before have I read a police summary of a case which begins with a warning that the reader should be very wary of the content due to the abhorrent nature of the offending,” he said.
He said Michael Emerton had caused psychological trauma to the children who will face a “lifetime of difficulties”.
Michael Emerton set up with five of the males he contacted to broadcast live child abuse via a video hook-up. At other times, he set up online to see them and then participate in sex acts in front of children. Early this year, Emerton entered a guilty plea to twenty charges, including three counts of causing or encouraging a juvenile to engage in sexual activity and four instances of rape of a child. On March 23, he received seven life sentences, with at least ten years to be served. Later trial, he admitted other crimes, including conspiring with the other defendants to rape, having sex with a kid or engaging in sexual conduct in front of another child.
Paul Stevens, 54, of St Albans, admitted conspiracy to rape a child under 13 and conspiracy to commit sexual activity with a child under 13 and was jailed for 10 years.
Matthew Webby, 30, of Hemel Hempstead, admitted two counts of sexual activity with a child, conspiracy to rape a child, conspiracy to commit sexual activity with a child, and possession of indecent images of children, and was jailed for nine years.
Robert Lindsay, 39, of Markyate, Hertfordshire, admitted conspiracy to rape a child, conspiracy to commit sexual activity with a child, making indecent images of a child, and to causing or inciting the child sexual exploitation of a 17-year-old, and was jailed for five years and three months.
Simon Wintle, 44, of Hemel Hempstead, admitted sexual activity in the presence of a child and conspiracy to engage in sexual activity in the presence of a child and was jailed for two years and six months.
Thomas Perry, 28, from Northchurch, Hertfordshire, was found guilty on 7 December of conspiracy to rape a child under the age of 13, conspiracy to commit sexual activity with a child under 13 and causing a child to watch a sexual act. He will be sentenced next month.
David Overall, 44, of Stevenage, admitted distributing and downloading indecent photographs of children and was sentenced to two years.
Ch Insp Dee Perkins said: “No stone has been left unturned in the search to identify and protect victims and bring those responsible for these despicable acts to justice.”
“Work is ongoing to support the victims and ensure they have the best possible chance of a normal life ahead.”
Hertfordshire Police said more than 100 other potential offenders worldwide had been identified and it was working with other law enforcement agencies and internet companies to protect children at risk of abuse.
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.