A couple who admitted sexual offences against children, including assaults and the possession of thousands of indecent images, have been jailed. Jay Shaw, 49, and his partner Katie Vernon, 31, were sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday, October 23, following an investigation by Merseyside Police's online child abuse investigations team (OCAIT).
Investigation and Arrest
The investigation began after detectives uncovered evidence of cross-border offending involving a contact known as "A". Officers identified "A" as Shaw and carried out an emergency warrant at his home on July 1 this year, arresting him.
A search of his property in Leigh uncovered a hidden phone containing thousands of indecent images of children, alongside evidence of sexual assaults. The phone also contained images of Vernon sexually assaulting a young boy, leading to her arrest.
Sentences and Convictions
Shaw, of Plank Lane, Leigh, admitted four counts of sexual assault against a female child and one count of sexual assault against a male child. He also pleaded guilty to making and possessing more than 5,000 indecent images of children, including just over 3,000 Category A images depicting the most serious abuse.
His other offences included distributing indecent images of children and possessing a paedophile manual containing instructions on abusing children. He was jailed for nine-and-a-half years and will serve a further five years on extended licence.
Vernon, also of Plank Lane, Leigh, admitted one count of sexual assault against a male child and was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison. Both will remain on the sex offenders register for life and have been given lifelong sexual harm prevention orders.
Police Response and Support
Detective Constable Danny Molyneux, from OCAIT, said: "Merseyside Police remains committed to protecting children from such dangerous predators.
"It is shocking that Shaw and his partner chose to carry out such horrific acts and I know that no length of sentence can every change their despicable actions but I hope that it provides some comfort to the families of those affected.
"OCAIT will show zero tolerance to those in Merseyside who use the internet to commit, enable or view sexual abuse against children.
"We are committed to proactively targeting and arrest these individuals to put them before the courts and work with partners to safeguard victims and children.
"I would continue to urge anyone who is a victim of any form of sexual abuse to please report this to police, or through our partner agencies.
"We take all such reports extremely seriously and will support victims with sensitivity and compassion."
This conviction comes as Merseyside Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner continues their "Call it what it is" campaign, which highlights the reality of child sexual exploitation and challenges perpetrators who groom, manipulate and abuse children. The campaign also supports parents, carers and young people to recognise the warning signs of exploitation and seek help.
