Gareth Andrew Davis, the Runcorn Paedophile, has been handed a life sentence (27 years, thanks to English law, he will be out in 2040) after recording himself sexually abusing a baby, including rape.
Said to be a “despicable” paedophile, Gareth Andrew Davis, 43 (now 45), of Ashridge Street, Runcorn, was arrested following an inquiry by the National Crime Agency (NCA) revealing indecent images had been published under his name on a Google account. Cheryl Mottram, the prosecution at Chester Crown Court on Tuesday (May 10), clarified how the NCA had suspicions about Davis, as shown in the 512 photos.
His residential address was the scene of a warrant execution. He was taken into custody, and his Samsung phone was turned over.
He said “no comment” in an officer’s interview. The inquiry revealed that several of the pictures showed Gareth Andrew Davis mistreating the child. One of the images featured a nude toddler taken covertly by Gareth Andrew Davis at a North Wales beach.
WhatsApp chats exposed Gareth Andrew Davis’ sharing of some of the pictures with a “male in the North East” and his chatroom discussion of the terrible mistreatment. About 600 shots of him faking sexual abuse with a children’s toy combined with his “hand round the neck simulating strangulation” were included in the picture collection.
Though they were later used as proof of an extra “violent” risk presented by paedophile Davis, these did not form part of the allegations against Gareth Andrew Davis.
At his plea hearing at Chester Crown Court on December 3, last year, he entered a guilty plea to rape of a child under 13, sexual assault by penetration of a child under 13, and three counts of creating indecent images: 36 of the most horrific type Category A, 382 Category B and 94 Category C.
Five more counts were specified to be kept on file.
Ms Mottram read a victim’s statement to the court on behalf of the mother of the beach image victim as well as the rape victim. Although Gareth Andrew Davis had no past convictions, Judge Steven Everett, Chester’s Recorder, said this could not be used as mitigating evidence since Davis had used his claimed “good character” to gain access to conduct abuse.
When debating the kinds of sentences, Judge Everett likened this case to that of former Lostprophets guitarist Ian Watkins, who was found guilty of abuse in 2014 and sentenced to thirty-nine years, including six on extended license.
Judge Everett said Gareth Andrew Davis’ “troubling” picture of himself mimicking strangling indicated “alarm bells are truly ringing”.
“They cause me real concern, not just of a sexual nature,” he told the court. “A sexual nature is bad enough, but a real concern that he’s a double danger in that regard.”
Davis’s “long time” behind bars he convinced the judge not to issue a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO). According to psychological and probationary assessments, the judge declared Davis lacked any mental disease as defined medically.
Instead, Gareth Andrew Davis had sought to “minimise” his terrible deeds and claimed COVID-19 confinement seclusion left him feeling lonely and eager to comply with requests from other sick people. Judge Everett discounted that as “arrant nonsense” as the offences started before the epidemic.
Appearing on behalf of the defence, Paul Becker said he did not want “the public gallery to think I’m in any kind of condoning what occurred, which are disgraceful and wicked offences to a very young baby.” It would be “ludicrous” to argue Davis should not be classified as dangerous following his “horrendous” crimes.
He said mitigating factors were Gareth Andrew Davis’ early guilty pleas, absence of prior convictions, employment history and “feelings of humiliation, worthlessness,” and “some remorse.”
While Gareth Andrew Davis was in detention, Mr. Becker claimed the public’s risk would lessen. “The defendant in custody has acquired some education, maths and English,” he claimed.
“He holds a trusted position as a mentor; he is working as a wing cleaner; he has completed a mental health course addressing emotions and anxiety.”
A life sentence was, the court declared, “wholly inevitable”. Judge Everett sentenced Davis to a 27-year prison term with a life license, therefore allowing Davis to be recalled to prison should he violate his release terms.
Sentencing Gareth Andrew Davis, he remarked: “What you’ve pleaded guilty to is the most serious matter I’ve had to deal with concerning significant sexual offences.
“As a solicitor, barrister, then judge, it is the grave matter I have handled in 40 years or more.
“I have not seen a case this severe anywhere.
“This is of the most intense gravity.
“It is perverted, filthy, nasty.
“I could go on.”
It’s difficult to say how dreadful this case is or how horrible it has been for many individuals.
“You got caught, thankfully,” he said. “I do not doubt that you would have continued to pose an extreme risk to children (a victim) and others had you not been detected.
“You should know that I reject some of the issues you propose to the psychiatrist and probationary officer.”
Commenting on Gareth Andrew Davis’ potential for violence, Judge Everett said: “You harboured such horrible feelings towards young children, and I’m satisfied you harbour not only views of a sexual character but of an extraordinarily violent one involving murder.
“You satisfy me with those points of view.
“These points of view came out rather badly.”
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.