Man jailed for conspiring to commit sexual offences against children abroad (30 August 2016)

A 37-year-old man from Milton Keynes has been jailed for 16 years with five years on licence, after being convicted of sexual offences against children.

Stuart Goodman of Williams Close in Hanslope, Milton Keynes was sentenced after pleading guilty to a total of 17 counts, including offences of conspiring to commit sexual offences against children abroad – and the making, possession and distribution of indecent images of children.

On 17 May 2016 at Aylesbury Crown Court, Goodman pleaded guilty to 13 counts, namely seven counts of making of indecent images of children, five counts of possession of prohibited images of children – and one count of
possession of indecent photographs of a child.

On Thursday, 11 August 2016, four further counts were added to the indictment – conspiracy to cause a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity abroad; conspiracy to rape a child under 13 years abroad; conspiracy to incite a child under 13 years to engage in sexual activity abroad; and distributing indecent photographs of a child.

Goodman pleaded guilty to all four counts.

The offences took place between 1 April 2011 and 30 April 2011 and were against girls aged between three and six years old, who are believed to be from the Philippines.

After sentencing, Chief Crown Prosecutor for Thames and Chiltern Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Adrian Foster, said:

“This case involved Stuart Goodman, aged 37, using an Internet webcam sex site to direct others abroad to commit depraved acts of child sexual abuse – as well as the making, possession and distribution of indecent images of children and the possession of prohibited images of children.

“On 29 April 2015, a warrant was executed at Goodman's home address in Milton Keynes and computer equipment seized and analysed.

“Hundreds of indecent images of children were found, along with evidence indicating that Goodman had been communicating with women abroad via legitimate webcam sex sites and requesting and watching the live sexual abuse of children for his own sordid sexual gratification.

“The combined actions of Goodman and the facilitators in the Philippines contributed to the necessity for the continued sexual abuse of children – if there was no demand, there would be less likelihood for the need to supply.

“The young age – under six – and vulnerability of the children greatly increases the seriousness of the offences.

“We have worked closely with Thames Valley Police since this investigation was launched – and, as a result of the hard work and diligence of the prosecution team, a just outcome has been achieved.

“The CPS takes all allegations of sexual offences extremely seriously and will continue to vigorously prosecute all such offenders.”

Investigating officer Detective Constable Kathryn Combstock – from Milton Keynes Local Area CID – added:

“Thames Valley Police treats all sexual offences extremely seriously – and every effort is made to locate offenders and bring them before the courts.

“This is a landmark case – His Honour Judge Sheridan said he believed this was the first conviction of its kind for the offence of conspiracy to rape a child abroad.

“It reflects the depravity of the crimes – and will give Goodman a significant amount of time to reflect upon his actions in prison.

“In this case the victims were young children, believed to be vulnerable children living in poor communities in the Philippines who have been exploited.

“Goodman believed this entitled him to conspire to commit these sexual offences against them, undoubtedly causing them untold lifelong pain and suffering.”

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