JAMIE TOPHAM, BLYTH PAEDOPHILE, SENTENCED AT NEWCASTLE CROWN COURT
A dangerous paedophile from Blyth, Jamie Topham, sexually assaulted a child in front of their parent and was later found in possession of the child's underwear.Topham, who has a significant history of sexual offending, committed the assault in September of last year while the child's parent was present in the same room.
The parent, shocked by what they saw, took a photograph as evidence and subsequently reported Topham to the police.
When the 42-year-old was arrested, officers discovered three indecent images of children on his mobile phone, all taken by him.
Additionally, the child's underwear was found in his room.
Topham, of Gladstone Street in Blyth, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court via a video link from HMP Durham to be sentenced for multiple charges, including sexual assault of a child under 13, breach of a sexual offence prevention order, and taking indecent images of children.
He pleaded guilty to all charges.
The court was told that Topham has previous convictions related to child sex offences.
In the past, he was sentenced to a three-year community order after being found in possession of hundreds of indecent images.
He was later found with more images, leading to a suspended sentence and the imposition of a 10-year sexual offence prevention order, which was active at the time of his recent offending.
Prosecutor Annie Richardson explained that Topham had befriended a family, unaware of his prior convictions and sexual offence history.
In September 2022, Topham was intoxicated after drinking up to seven cans of lager and was present with family members.
During this time, he was described as "somewhat drunk." Ms.
Richardson stated that Topham put his arm around a child, which the parent found unusual.
He then proceeded to sexually assault the child in front of the parent, who quickly photographed the incident to gather evidence.
Following this, Topham was asked to leave the house and was arrested the same night.
A search of his room revealed the child's underwear, which belonged to the child.
Police also seized Topham's mobile phone and examined its contents, discovering three indecent images of children that he had taken himself.
Defence solicitor Mr.
Fish acknowledged that Topham understood he would face an immediate custodial sentence.
He said, "The defendant is realistic and accepts that he will receive an immediate custodial sentence.
He has demonstrated a significant level of insight and acknowledges he has a problem.
He is not a defendant who is in denial." Mr.
Fish added that Topham has "a lot of distorted thinking and attitudes." Judge Adams, sentencing Topham, highlighted his significant past offending history and described him as dangerous.
He stated, "You admit a sexual attraction to children and in my view you are clearly dangerous." The judge sentenced Topham to an extended prison term of 98 months, comprising 50 months of custody and an extension period of 48 months.
Additionally, an indefinite sexual harm prevention order was imposed, and Topham will remain on the sex offender register for life.
