A paedophile Christmas elf, a private tutor who sat exams on behalf of university students and "Scouse Kenny" were among the Merseyside criminals jailed over the past week. Also locked up was a convicted murderer who had a fling with a woman but then teamed up with the mother of his children to batter her in the street.
Meanwhile, Liverpool Crown Court heard that a mum's new boyfriend appeared to be "charming" but instead subjected her to a series of cruel and demeaning assaults, battering her in a hotel and placing a soiled puppy pad over her face. These eight defendants from the region were imprisoned over the last seven days, being handed a combined total of 25 years and two months behind bars.
Mark Shiels: Thug Assaults Mother of His Children
Mark Shiels, 33, of Prescot Road in St Helens, left the mother of his children battered and bruised before asking her "why did you make me do this to you?" He was already banned from contacting his then girlfriend when he subjected her to the "appalling" assault over several hours. The ordeal left her suffering from "vivid nightmares of him attacking her", having previously missed her own daughter's 18th birthday party after he left her with a black eye. She told a court: "I don't think I will ever be the same again. It will take me many years to recover, if ever." Shiels admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm, criminal damage and breaching a restraining order. Appearing via video link to HMP Liverpool, he was jailed for 43 months and handed an additional 17-month licence period.
Simon McKeown: Charming Façade Turned Violent
Simon McKeown, 46, of Edgehill Road in Moreton, initially "presented as the ideal partner", wooing a freshly divorced mum by taking her out for fancy meals and lavishing her with gifts. But he then subjected her to cruel and demeaning assaults, battering her in a hotel and placing a soiled puppy pad over her face. She later fled into a pub in her pyjamas to seek refuge, and McKeown turned violent towards staff who tried to protect her. He admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm and four counts of assault. Appearing via video link to HMP Liverpool, he was jailed for 33 months and handed a five-year restraining order.
Jamie Horgan: 'Scouse Kenny' Drug Dealer
Jamie Horgan, 31, of no fixed address, moved to the Scottish Highlands seeking a fresh start but instead conducted more than 2,000 drug deals using the pseudonym "Scouse Kenny". His "foolish" actions under this secret identity were rumbled after he gave his phone number to a police officer. He admitted being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine. Appearing via video link to HMP Garth wearing a grey Berghaus tracksuit top and shorts, he was jailed for three years.
Asher Bedwell: Drug Dealer Racially Abused Officer
Asher Bedwell was jailed for a city centre drug operation and racially abused one of the police officers who arrested him. He admitted being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine and racially aggravated public order and was jailed for four-and-a-half years.
Shahid Adnan: Private Tutor Exam Fraud
Shahid Adnan, 43, of Lysander Close, began sitting exams and submitting coursework on behalf of his students after being "led down a dark path". He was able to "live a lifestyle well beyond his wealth" as a result of the audacious con, boasting "high end" BMW and Audi cars and an impressive house. His scheme was rumbled when a client handed over a USB stick to a Liverpool John Moores University lecturer, leading to initial suspicions that he had netted up to £2million from his deception. A "highly educated man" with a PhD, he was forced to give up his business and work as an Uber driver. Adnan admitted fraud by false representation, causing a computer to perform a function to secure unauthorised access and money laundering. Appearing in the dock wearing a navy blue polo shirt, he sat with his head bowed as he was jailed for three years.
John Smith: Paedophile Elf in Santa's Grotto
John Smith, 48, of Laurel Road, a former police officer and convicted paedophile, was pictured dressed as an elf in Santa's grotto while volunteering at a Christmas party. He was previously banned from any contact with children after twice being caught engaging in sexualised online chats with kids and decoy accounts. But he brazenly flouted this court order within months by acting as a "meeter and greeter" at a charity event on Christmas Day, attended by many potentially vulnerable youngsters. He even hand-delivered a hamper to one family home. Organisers were unaware of his past. Smith pleaded guilty to two counts of breaching a sexual harm prevention order. Appearing suited in the dock wearing glasses and with his hair in a ponytail, he was jailed for 20 months.
Anthony Gaskell and Leanne Scott: Murderer's Assault
Anthony Gaskell, 46, of Haydn Road in Dovecot, a convicted murderer, had a romantic fling with a woman during a break in his relationship with Leanne Scott, the mother of his children. After reconciling with Scott, they "worked as a team" to dish out a vicious and unprovoked assault on his ex-girlfriend as she walked home in the early hours. Scott sent a menacing text to her love rival: "Now keep your trap shut." Both defendants admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Appearing via video link to HMP Liverpool, Gaskell was jailed for a further 12 months. Scott, wearing a black t-shirt with her hair tied back in a ponytail, was handed an eight-month imprisonment suspended for 18 months with a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 15 days and ordered to pay £300 compensation.
Andrew Roberts: Son Stabbed Father
Andrew Roberts, 37, of Woodward Road in Rock Ferry, a café owner, kissed his dad then stabbed him in the chest. He faced a jury accused of attempting to murder his 56-year-old father David Roberts. The two had watched a film together before Roberts knifed his victim inside his home on Big Meadow Road in Woodchurch. He reportedly kissed his dad on the head and told him: "This is the last time you ever get a kiss off me." He also texted his wife 15 minutes before the stabbing: "Would you stand by me if I killed Dave?" He admitted wounding with intent midway through the trial but denied attempted murder. The jury was discharged after being unable to reach a verdict on the more serious charge. The Crown Prosecution Service did not seek a retrial, and Roberts was handed five-and-a-half years behind bars. Judge Simon Medland KC said: "He was recovering from serious surgery... You kissed him on top of the head and said 'it's the last kiss you'll get from me'... Thankfully, the injury was not life threatening."
