HULL PENSIONER CONVICTED OF SERIOUS CHILD SEX OFFENCES AND POSSESSION OF INDECENT IMAGES
A perverted pensioner named Raymond Tether faces a lengthy prison sentence after being convicted of serious child sex offences.The 74-year-old, who resides on High Street in Hull, had a history of offenses related to indecent images of children.
Previously, in 2020, he was spared custody after being caught creating thousands of indecent images.
At Hull Crown Court, he was convicted by a jury on several charges, though some charges were dismissed or directed as not proven.
Prosecutor David Godfrey stated that Tether had a sexual interest in children, alleging "He fancies children.
That is his thing.
That is what turns him on.
Children." Tether denied these allegations, claiming they were fabricated.
He also claimed the accusations were made up and described himself as "no oil painting" with a "love of late-night internet surfing." During the trial, Tether chose not to give evidence, which the prosecution criticized as a sign of guilt, with comments like "He has bottled giving evidence because he knows the sorts of questions that he was going to be asked and he didn't want to answer them.
He has remained mute at the back of the court.
When the going gets tough, he's a coward." In prior proceedings, it was revealed that in 2018, he possessed indecent images including those involving the rape of a young girl and a baby, totaling 159 images, along with other images and videos in different categories.
He also had prohibited and extreme images, including content involving animals.
In 2020, he received a 14-month suspended prison sentence for possessing 159 Category A images and videos of the most serious nature, 291 Category B images and videos, and 1,718 images in Category C, alongside 546 prohibited images like cartoons.
He was also found with three extreme pornographic videos, including one of a dog.
He declined to give evidence at this trial, with the judge noting that "His silence at trial may count against him." Currently, Tether is remanded in custody, awaiting sentencing scheduled for September.
"On each image he lusted over was a child on the other side of the images," said Mr Godfrey, emphasizing the disturbing nature of his offenses.
The court noted that Tether demonstrated no regard for the children depicted in his collection of indecent images, including instances of very young children.
Court proceedings highlighted Tether's manipulative character and the depraved nature of his offences, culminating in his latest conviction for serious child sex crimes.
