January 19, 2017 11.30 am This story is over 86 months old

Cleethorpes man admits string of sexual offences against toddler

A Cleethorpes man is due to be sentenced tomorrow after admitting to a string of sexual offences against a girl under the age of two – including attempted rape. Callum Bedford, 28, of Lairgate Place, Cleethorpes, was identified as part of an international operation to root out and bring to justice those making and distributing…
Callum Bedford

A Cleethorpes man is due to be sentenced tomorrow after admitting to a string of sexual offences against a girl under the age of two – including attempted rape.

Callum Bedford, 28, of Lairgate Place, Cleethorpes, was identified as part of an international operation to root out and bring to justice those making and distributing indecent images of children online,

He is due to appear before Grimsby Crown Court on January 20 for sentencing, after admitting that on or before September 6 last year he had:

  • Partaken in adult sexual activity with an 18-month-old girl
  • Attempted to rape a 20-month-old girl
  • Taken indecent photographs of a child (two counts relating to Category B and Category C images)
  • Distributed indecent photographs of a child (two counts relating to Category B and Category C images)
  • Been in possession of extreme pornographic material, featuring the abuse of animals
  • Made indecent images of children (two counts relating to 51 category B images and 69 category C images)

Bedford’s activities were first identified by the Canadian authorities after he shared the images via social media.

Their investigation was passed to the National Crime Agency (NCA) and the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) in the UK.

In turn, policing teams became involved and within 24 hours of receiving the NCA report Bedford was arrested by Humberside officers.

Within two days of his arrest Bedford was charged and brought before Grimsby and Cleethorpes Magistrates, who remanded him into custody.

Detective Constable Steve Bury, who lead our investigation, said: “This was a particularly harrowing case – one of the worst I have dealt with in my 10 years in this role.

“We take some comfort in the speed with which we were able to arrest and charge Bedford, ensuring this little girl was protected and safe from further harm. He now faces a significant jail sentence.

“Offences of this kind are extremely serious and we and our partner agencies around the world work tirelessly to identify those who create and distribute indecent images of children, so that they can be stopped and brought to justice and their victims can be protected from further harm.

“I would appeal for anyone with information about this kind of offending to contact us on 101 – or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.”