Members of a paedophile ring have been jailed indefinitely

15 October 2012

Three other members of the paedophile ring were sentenced on Friday September 21 and each also received an indeterminate sentence for public protection - a sentence that could be enforced for the rest of their lives.

Sentenced were:

[D] Nicholas Cordery, 63 (17.8.49), retired, of Murcott Farm Malmsbury, Wiltshire, who had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to rape a child under 13, and possession and distribution of indecent images. An offence of attempting to arrange or facilitate the commission of a child sex offence will lie on file.

[G] Peter Malpas, 47 (17.3.65), a charity worker, of Rides Court, Moulton, who had previously pleaded guilty to sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault by penetration on a child under 13 and the possession and distribution of indecent images of children.

[H] Anthony Flack, 54 (1.3.58), an IT trainer, of Windrush Rd, Keynsham, Bristol, Avon, who had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rape a child under 13, attempting to arrange the commission of a child sex offence and possession of indecent images of children.

Reading Crown Court heard how the Met's Paedophile Unit - part of Child Abuse Investigation Command, Specialist Crime and Operations - launched Operation Rockferry after an ongoing investigation uncovered attempts to illicit opportunities to sexually abuse children.

In August 2011 a covert internet investigator engaged with Flack who used the online name of 'WoofWoof'. Flack disclosed that he had previously raped a child under the age of 13. He also spoke of a man 'Nick' [D] who hosted 'paedophile parties' on a remote farm.

On 24 August 2011, Flack met with an undercover officer in London. Flack had booked a hotel room in the belief that he was going to rape a child. Arresting officers found him in of possession of a number of indecent images and props that he was going to use on the child.

Flack was charged with attempting to arrange the commission of a child sex offence and possession of indecent images of children.

Examination of Flack's computer uncovered a series of emails to Wyn-Davies and a number of images and videos of a child being sexually abused.

Wyn-Davies was arrested on 28 August 28 2011 and charged with 22 counts of rape of a child, offences of distributing indecent images of children and conspiracy to rape.

Throughout the investigation detectives viewed more than 100,000 indecent images of children and analysed more than 10,000 emails in an effort to identify victims, scenes and suspects.

Officers pieced together the threads of the communications between Flack and Wyn-Davies to identify Nicholas Cordery. In emails Cordery claimed that he had contacts who could arrange discreet meetings in relation to children.

An undercover operation was launched against Cordery, where he offered his remote farm as a venue for abuse to take place. He also offered to facilitate introductions to other paedophiles who had access to children. He specifically mentioned Wyn-Davies.

Cordery was arrested on 2 November 2011 and charged with attempting to arrange/facilitate the commission of a child sex offence, conspiracy to rape and possession and distribution of indecent images.

A search of his home uncovered a disk containing 1,700 indecent images of children.

Malpas was identified as a result of further enquiries and subsequently arrested on January 17, 2012 and later charged with rape and sexual assault of a child.

Detective Chief Inspector Noel McHugh said: "This has been an exceptionally challenging and complex investigation covering several police force areas. Today's result demonstrates the commitment of the Met Police Paedophile Unit to use all lawful tactics to capture the most dangerous sex offenders and protect the most vulnerable.

"I would like to pay tribute to not only the Paedophile Unit but all those partner agencies that supported this case: health, social care and education authorities, other police forces, the Crown Prosecution Service and most importantly our amazing survivors (victims). Everyone involved has secured compelling evidence against these highly manipulative, evil and dangerous individuals.

"This case shows police and our partners will only use specially trained staff to investigate this type of crime and we are committed to providing the best possible service to victims of sexual abuse - adult or child - and bringing offenders to justice, no matter when the offence occurred. All I ask is that survivors do not sit in silence; please have the confidence to disclose.

"I believe that these defendants will have committed other offences and I would therefore urge anyone who believes they may have been a victim to have the confidence to report the incident to the police. We are here to support and protect you.

"The investigation team can be contacted direct on 020 7161 3871. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, Childline on 0800 1111, report the matter to your local police station, or inform a teacher or trusted individual. All information will be treated in the strictest confidence."