TERRIFYING WESTCLIFF PAEDOPHILE TERENCE STANDAGE SENTENCED AFTER MULTIPLE OFFENCES

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Westcliff and beyond, Terence Standage, aged 51, has been sentenced to a total of ten and a half years in prison after admitting to a series of serious sexual offences involving minors. The court proceedings took place at Basildon Crown Court on Monday, April 12, where Standage appeared to face the charges that spanned over several years.

Standage's criminal activities primarily occurred in Westcliff between 2005 and 2006, during which he engaged in heinous acts involving two girls under the age of 13. The court was informed that he had previously served time in 2007 for similar offences involving other children, indicating a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior.

The investigation into Standage's crimes intensified after authorities uncovered new evidence while he was incarcerated. During his time in prison, authorities discovered indecent images of children on his electronic devices. These images were reported to the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP), which prompted further investigation.

Following these discoveries, Essex Police's Online Investigation Team and Child Abuse Investigation Unit arrested Standage in July 2009. The subsequent inquiries revealed the extent of his offending, leading to his conviction and sentencing. As part of his punishment, Standage was not only sentenced to a lengthy prison term but also placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely. Additionally, he was subjected to an indefinite Sexual Offences Prevention Order, restricting his activities and contact with minors to prevent further harm.

In a related case from June 2008, Standage's previous online misconduct was brought to light. He had groomed an 11-year-old girl over the internet, engaging her in indecent webcam chats and asking her to remove her top. The case was uncovered after the girl’s mother, residing in Birmingham, grew suspicious of her daughter’s online interactions. Posing as her daughter, the mother engaged in online communication with Standage, which led to police tracing his email address back to his Westcliff residence.

Authorities discovered disturbing evidence at his home, including indecent photographs of children. Four of these images were classified as Category Five, representing the most severe level of abuse. Standage, then aged 49, was initially sentenced to six years in prison after admitting to engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child under 13 and possessing indecent images of children. However, he challenged this sentence.

His appeal was heard at the Court of Appeal in London, where judges considered the details of his case. The court was told that Standage had a known history of sexual offences, having been cautioned for two other sex-related crimes in 2000 and 2006. The presiding judges, including Lord Justice Thomas, Mrs Justice Rafferty, and Judge Nicholas Loraine-Smith, ultimately decided to reduce his sentence to three and a half years, citing that the original six-year term was excessive given the circumstances.

Judge Loraine-Smith emphasized that although Standage was already on the sex offenders register and had a history of offending, his actions did not warrant such a lengthy imprisonment. The court acknowledged the seriousness of his crimes but also considered the need for proportionate sentencing, leading to the reduction. Standage’s case remains a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by individuals with a deviant sexual interest in children, and the importance of vigilant law enforcement and community awareness in protecting vulnerable minors.