December 13, 2016 3.41 pm This story is over 58 months old

Grantham student sentenced for abhorrent downloads of babies being sexually abused

A student who downloaded “abhorrent” images of babies being sexually abused was locked up by a judge on Tuesday, December 13. Connal Rochford attracted the attention of police after he was discovered to have had internet chats with an older man in Wales, in which they discussed abusing children. Jonathan Dunne, prosecuting, told Lincoln Crown…

Lincoln Crown Court. Photo: Lincolnshire Reporter

By Court Reporter Service

A student who downloaded “abhorrent” images of babies being sexually abused was locked up by a judge on Tuesday, December 13.

Connal Rochford attracted the attention of police after he was discovered to have had internet chats with an older man in Wales, in which they discussed abusing children.

Jonathan Dunne, prosecuting, told Lincoln Crown Court that as a result police carried out a search of Rochford’s home in Grantham and seized a laptop computer and mobile phone.

When the items were checked they were found to contain more than 1,200 indecent images of children.

Mr Dunne said the first images were downloaded in June 2013 when Rochford was only 17-years-old and further images were downloaded in the period to July 2015.

The prosecutor said: “What marks this case as being unusual is the type of images involved.

“They involve very, very young children. Some are under the age of one-year-old.”

The court was told that Rochford has no previous convictions.

Rochford, now aged 20, of Mossdale Close, Grantham, admitted three charges of making a total of 1,244 indecent images of children.

He also admitted possession of extreme pornography and possession of a prohibited image of a child.

He was sent to a young offenders’ institution for eight months.

Rochford was placed on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years and given a sexual harm prevention order which aims to restrict his behaviour after his release from his sentence.

Judge Simon Hirst, passing sentence, rejected a defence plea not to send Rochford straight into custody.

The judge said: “I am afraid I don’t feel I can do my public duty by suspending the sentence because of the period of time this went on, because of the number of images involved and because of the age of some of these children.”

Mark Watson, in mitigation, said a psychological assessment revealed that Rochford suffers from ADHD and depression.

He said his client was immature and had become socially isolated.

Mr Watson said: “The defendant found himself in a crisis of identity. He has since demonstrated a degree of insight and remorse.

“It is recognised by him and his family that these images are abhorrent and vile.”

Mr Watson urged that Rochford should receive a suspended sentence.

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35 mins ago

Lincoln

Imps community in mourning as young fan dies after six-year cancer battle
There’s only one Jack Notty, RIP Jack

Jack Nottingham was a popular member of Lincoln City's fan community, seen here as a special guest at Wembley for the 2018 Checkatrade Trophy final. | Photo: Lincoln City FC

By Ellis Karran Local News Reporter

Tributes have flooded in for a 19-year-old Lincoln City fan who sadly lost his life after a six-year battle with cancer, leaving the community devastated.

Jack Nottingham, otherwise known as Jack Notty, was a lifelong Lincoln fan diagnosed with medullary thyroid cancer in November 2015, at the age of just 13.

As well as this, it was discovered he had inoperable secondary cancer in both of his lungs, which later spread to the bones in his legs and shoulder.

Despite the unbelievable trials and tribulations that faced Jack, he stayed dedicated and positive in his support for the Imps, even seeing them win the Checkatrade Trophy at Wembley Stadium in 2018.

Jack Notty never let his health bring him down, always staying positive during the darkest moments. | Photo: Bridgette Nottingham

Jack’s father Paul tragically confirmed the news of his passing on Monday, November 29, calling it sudden and saying it is with the “deepest sadness”.

Paul said in the Lincoln City Banter Facebook page: “We would like to thank Lincoln City FC for their support and fantastic memories, especially his experience at Wembley.”

Lincoln City Football Club said it was “sad to learn of the sudden passing” and passed on their best wishes on social media: “The thoughts of everybody at the club are with Jack’s family and friends at this difficult time.”

Jack was a popular figure among the fans, with many regularly chanting “there’s only one Jack Notty” when he was at Lincoln City games cheering on his beloved club.

Former Imps manager Danny Cowley shared a heartfelt tribute on Twitter, saying: “I am so, so sorry to hear this news. Jack was such an inspiration.

“He had so much go against him in his short life, yet he made the most of every single day, always with a smile. Rest easy my friend.”

50 mins ago

Spalding

Spalding man denies multiple sex offences against two children
He faces 13 charges spanning 10 years

Lincoln Crown Court. | Photo: Kurnia Aerial Photography

By Court Reporter Service

A Spalding man will go on trial accused of sex offences against two children.

James Edward Blackbourne, 37, entered not guilty pleas to 13 charges when he appeared at Lincoln Crown Court.

Blackbourne denied one charge of attempted rape on a male aged under 16, one charge of attempted rape on a boy aged under 13, two charges of indecent assault on a boy aged under 14, two charges of sexual assault on a boy aged under 13, and one charge of inciting a boy aged under 16 to engage in sexual activity.

He also denied two charges of indecent assault on a girl aged under 14, one charge of sexual assault on a girl aged under 13, and two charges of rape on a girl aged under 13.

All the offences are alleged to have occurred between 2000 and 2010. None of the alleged complainants can be named because their anonymity is protected by law.

Judge Simon Hirst adjourned the case for a trial starting at Lincoln Crown Court on June 13 next year. The trial is expected to last five days.

Blackbourne, of Green Lane, Spalding was granted unconditional bail by Judge Hirst until his next court appearance.

Lincolnshire Police

1 hour ago

Operation Sceptre results – 240 blades handed in
Great results to make our communities even safer

Some of the weapons recovered as part of the operation. | Photo: Lincolnshire Police

Weapon-enabled crime in our county is low in comparison to other parts of the country – but we are not complacent, and one knife is one too many.

Now, our communities can feel even more reassured about the safety of our streets following a successful week of action to reduce knife crime which saw more than 240 blades handed in to stations across the county.

As part of the Op Sceptre week of action, eight surrender bins were set up at stations in Boston, Skegness, Louth, Horncastle, Spalding, Grantham, Stamford, South Park, and resulted in 246 weapons being anonymously handed in, including swords, flick knives and other bladed banned under the Offensive Weapons Act. This type of opportunity enables weapons to be safely removed from the streets and out of the hands of potential offenders.

Officers across the Force also carried out 35 stop and searches, resulting in five knife-related arrests, and four weapons being recovered from someone carrying it on the street. They also made six further weapons-related arrests, recovering a further three knives.

Officers and PCSOs from our Neighbourhood Policing Teams also carried out five engagement events at secondary schools which engaged just over 500 young people and provided an opportunity to educate them around the law and the risks of carrying a weapon.