A PAEDOPHILE dedicated to abusing children has received a 26 year sentence.
Simon Mallen, 39, was the subject of a covert policing operation, where it was revealed he planned to host a gathering at his Northumberland home, where multiple children would be abused.
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Conversations were played to the jury during the five-week trial at Newcastle Crown Court, where Mallen encouraged guests to bring children to his home in 2019.
Simon, from Alnwick, admitted he was a paedophile, described himself as ‘sadistic’ and claimed he had ‘access’ to children.
Mallen was arrested in 2019 and had his electronic devices seized and home searched.
In 2021, a jury found him guilty of arranging the commission of a child sex offence and two counts of sexual assault by touching.
Mallen previously pleaded guilty to possession of extreme pornography and encouraging sex with an animal.
On Thursday, January 12, he returned to the crown court, was jailed for 18 years and must serve a further eight years on extended licence.
Detective constable Helen Mackay, from Northumbria Police’s Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT), said: "This has been an absolutely shocking case and one of the most horrific I have come across in our Force. I am pleased the jury saw through the lies and excuses of Simon Mallen.
“He showed a complete lack of remorse for his actions. He is a calculating and manipulative predator who knew what he was doing was wrong and worked hard to operate under the radar and keep his illegal activity a secret.”
Detective inspector Allen Hull said: “Everyone involved in this investigation, from the digital forensic investigators, the victim identification team, and officers from various departments across the Force have done an impeccable job which has made the North East a safer place to be, and I couldn’t be prouder."
Claire Wright, senior crown prosecutor with CPS North East’s rape and serious sexual offences unit, said: "I would like to praise the incredible investigation undertaken in this case on the part of Northumbria Police, who were supported by colleagues across multiple forces in delivering an expansive and detailed file of evidence to support these prosecutions.
“For our part, the Crown Prosecutions Service has pieced together this vital evidence to show that Mallen is a predatory paedophile, who demonstrated sadistic and manipulative behaviour in the pursuit of his own sexual gratification.”
During Mallen's investigation, three women were arrested and charged.
They were sentenced as follows:
Caroline Scurr, 44, of Cullercoats, denied arranging and facilitating the commission of a child sex offence, standing trial alongside Mallen. She was found guilty and sentenced in 2022 to seven-and-a-half-years.
Maria Alfonzo, 33, of Devon, pleaded guilty to arranging and facilitating the commission of a child sex offence in 2021, and previously admitted distributing and taking indecent images of children and having sex with an animal. She was jailed for two years and three months.
Lauren Marshall, 37, of Ashington, previously admitted to arranging and facilitating the commission of a child sex offence, which predates Mallen’s main abuse plot. In 2022, she was jailed for three years and two months and given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.
To report a sexual offence or seek support, visit Northumbria Police's Tell us Something page or call on 101.
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