CAGED: '˜Predatory' rapist locked up for 12 years

Stanley Jade, 45, formerly of Cleveleys but whose address was listed in court as HMP Preston, held his head in his hands as Preston Crown Court heard how police officers found vile pictures of him abusing a girl – while another was present.

Judge Heather Lloyd said he was a dangerous offender and imposed the 16 year extended sentence period, including four years on licence.

Jade, described as a house husband with alcohol problems, was reported to police by a mother who alleged he made lewd comments to her son and daughter. He was not charged over the claims as more serious crimes came to light.

Judge Lloyd said he had a perverse and distorted view of his offending and ‘lied’ to police. She added: “In the summer some children complained to their parents you had behaved and spoken to them inappropriately.

“What they alleged was bad enough but what was uncovered is far more serious and involves three little girls.

“When you were later arrested you said you were glad everything was out in the open – but you hadn’t told police what they would really find.

“You were sexually excited by sexually abusing these children.”

Prosecuting, Peter Barr said a Fylde mum contacted police on June 14 last year reporting concerns Jade had made sexual comments to three children and pulled a little boy’s trousers down.

He was arrested and items including a PC tower and cameras were seized from his home. In a police interview he admitted he had been viewing images of “clothed” children.

However a search of the camera revealed he had taken pictures of a young girl performing an act on him and he was identified by a woolly jumper he owned.

Other pictures showed another child he made to pose for him. A third child was present watching the abuse on some of the images. All were under 10.

When he was arrested again he made no comment in interview. However, at Preston Crown Court he pleaded guilty to raping a child, sexual activity in the presence of a child, assaulting a child, and three counts of possessing indecent images, some at the most serious category in law.

He also admitted possessing prohibited images of children and extreme pornography. Julie Taylor, defending, said Jade had been a victim of abuse as a child himself but could not explain his attraction to children.

She added: “He has been candid admitting he was abusing one of the girls over a 12-month period. The defendant knows there is no excuse for his behaviour. His only explanation into crossing that barrier is he had extended into depression and alcoholism.”

After the hearing, Det Con Steve Gelson, from Blackpool’s Public Protection Unit called Jades’ offences ‘extremely disturbing’, adding: “He is a predatory sex offender who showed a sickening penchant for abusing children to the point of taking pictures of himself in the act for his own pleasure.

Jade betrayed the trust of these children, particularly the one he raped, in the most horrendous way and the personal impact on her going forward is unknown as she is still a just a young girl.”

He added: “We are committed to tackling child sex abuse and bringing perpetrators to justice and I would urge anyone who has been a victim to come forward and report it to us. We take all reports seriously and we ensure that victims are treated sensitively and professionally at all times.”