Former Pateley B&B owner jailed for sex abuse on teenage girls

Lawrence Glynn, 62, who is married, stored more than 500 indecent photos and videos of children on a computer and memory card.

York Crown Court heard Glynn showed some of these images to one of his teenage victims and tried to entice the girls to pose for shots in secluded locations.

He was caught when an informer within Glynn’s circle of friends and family came across the memory card and handed it in to police.

Glynn, of Church Street, was arrested but initially denied having a sexual interest in the girls, claiming his enticements to pose naked for him were “mere banter”.

But he later pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault, two charges of inciting an under-age child to engage in sexual activity, nine counts of making indecent images of children, and one count of voyeurism - using covert video footage to film an under-age girl in a state of semi-undress. The offences occurred between May 2012 and April 21, 2013.

The former guest-house owner appeared for sentence on Friday.

The court heard that Glynn turned to internet porn out of boredom after taking early retirement, and began downloading hundreds of depraved images, including Category A movies and photos - the most extreme kind.

Prosecuting barrister Stephen Wood said the attacks on the two girls had had a severe effect on the youngsters and their families.

They said Glynn had groomed them and offered them money and other sweeteners.

One of the girls told police that as Glynn sexually assaulted her, he apologised to make it seem like an accident.

Defence barrister Matthew Donkin said Glynn had previously led a blameless life and worked hard to turn his business into a success.

“Something has led to this period of committing these grossly-inappropriate offences,” added Mr Donkin.

“He’s an intelligent and successful man, and he quite accepts that this behaviour was utterly appalling.

“This seems to be an episode of madness and obsession. He must now bear on his shoulders the profound effect (this has had) on his family.”

Judge Rodney Jameson QC told Glynn that by viewing the images, he had fed the ever-expanding market for the sexual abuse of real children used in online videos.

Mr Jameson sentenced him to two years behind bars.

The judge also made a sexual-harm prevention order restricting Glynn’s contact with children, as well as binding him to a 10-year notification period which beholds Glynn to inform police of any changes in his circumstances. He must also sign on the sex-offenders’ register.

DS Steve Menzies, of Harrogate Serious Crime Team, said: “It is very satisfying that a menace to young girls has been jailed.

“While he was caught secretly filming young girls, there is no evidence that Glynn filmed customers at the B&B.

“The business was sold after he was charged, and the new owners have no connection to him.”