PORTSMOUTH PAEDOPHILE RING MEMBERS ROBERT HATHAWAY AND MELISSA NOON SENTENCED INCREASED IN PORTSMOUTH AND INTERNATIONAL CASES

In a significant development in the fight against child exploitation, three individuals involved in a Portsmouth-based paedophile ring have seen their prison sentences increased following an appeal by senior judges at the Court of Appeal. The original sentences, which were deemed "unduly lenient," have now been escalated to reflect the severity of their crimes.

Robert Hathaway, Melissa Noon, and Simon Hilton were convicted in December for their roles in abusing two young children and disseminating images and videos depicting their abuse over the internet. Hathaway, identified as the ring’s ringleader, initially received an indeterminate sentence with a minimum tariff of six years. However, the Court of Appeal has now ordered that Hathaway serve a minimum of ten years in prison, with his sentence being changed to life imprisonment. Hathaway, aged 37 and a resident of Portsmouth, had previously been sentenced to an indeterminate term, but the new ruling emphasizes the gravity of his offenses.

Melissa Noon, aged 30 and also from Portsmouth, saw her sentence doubled to eight years. She was convicted of multiple charges, including causing a child to engage in sexual activity, and had previously denied 11 charges. Her conviction followed a six-week trial that concluded in November. The court found that Noon, along with Hathaway, used the internet to communicate with other offenders about their abuse and even arranged meetings to carry out further sexual assaults. Her partner, Simon Hilton, aged 29 from North London, was sentenced to eight years as well, with a minimum of four years to serve.

The case also involved other individuals connected to the international paedophile network. Stephen Fraser, 42, from Hemingford Road, Cambridge, received a four-year sentence with an extended license period of six years. Lee Parson, 38, of Arundel Street, Portsmouth, was sentenced to three years. These sentences reflect the court’s recognition of the widespread and organized nature of the abuse ring.

Further sentencing involved individuals who denied their involvement initially but were later convicted. Mark Day, 45, from Kent, a serving soldier, was sentenced to three years for arranging a child sex offense. Daniel Bell, 27, of Hampshire, who resided in military accommodation and was previously from St James Road, Emsworth, received a suspended sentence of four months for attempting to distribute indecent images of children, along with concurrent one-month sentences for possessing indecent photographs. The court noted that it was at the discretion of Bell’s commanding officer whether he would retain his military position.

John Maddox, 47, from Rainham, Essex, who cared for his disabled sister and elderly mother and volunteered at a hospice, was sentenced to two and a half years for causing a child to engage in sexual activity. He also received concurrent two-month sentences for possessing indecent images of children. These cases highlight the extensive reach of the paedophile network and the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to dismantle such criminal operations and bring offenders to justice.