Simon Mallen, 39, was centre of paedophile ring plot

Yorkshire officers were among those who brought Simon Mallen, of Alnwick, Northumberland, to justice.

The 39-year-old was sentenced to 18 years in jail, with a further eight years on extended licence, at Newcastle Crown Court last Thursday.

A jury found him guilty of three offences at the same court in November 2021, after a five-week trial where they heard disturbing evidence.

The offences were arranging the commission of a child sex offence and two counts of sexual assault by touching.

Mallen had previously pleaded guilty to possession of extreme pornography and encouraging sex with an animal.

Simon Mallen, 39, of Alnwick, Northumberland (Image: West Yorkshire Police)

The 39-year-old was brought to justice after a covert police operation involving officers from the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit (YH ROCU).

They captured evidence of Mallen's plans and worked with colleagues from Northumbria Police’s Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT) in a complex investigation that eventually came to trial.

It was revealed Mallen was planning to host a gathering at his home at which multiple children would be abused.

The jury heard he encouraged guests to bring children to his property back in September 2019. 

Mallen also admitted he was a paedophile, described himself as "sadistic" and claimed he had "access" to a number of children. 

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Andrew Howard of the YH ROCU said: “Mallen is an abhorrent individual who posed a serious threat to children.

"I’m pleased that the action taken by YH ROCU officers in identifying him, and working with colleagues in Northumbria on the investigation, has brought an end to his offending and put him behind bars.

“This was the early stages of the formation of a paedophile ring and I have no doubt whatsoever that had we not investigated the matter, Mallen would have committed further serious offences.

“Our dedicated team of ROCU officers work tirelessly to identify people who pose a sexual threat to children.

"We work with partners and other police forces to end their threat to society by bringing them to justice wherever they are.”

Meanwhile, Detective Constable Helen Mackay, from Northumbria Police’s 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."

During the course of the investigation into Mallen, three women were also arrested and subsequently charged and have been brought to justice.

They were sentenced as follows:

• Caroline Scurr, 44, of Cullercoats, Tyne and Wear, denied arranging/facilitating the commission of a child sex offence and stood trial alongside Mallen. She was found guilty and sentenced on Friday, May 20, 2022 to seven-and-a-half-years.
• Maria Alfonzo, 33, of Devon, pleaded guilty to arranging/facilitating the commission of a child sex offence when she appeared at court on November 30, 2021, and previously admitted distributing and taking indecent images of children and having sex with an animal. She was sentenced alongside Scurr and jailed for a total of two years and three months.
• Lauren Marshall, 37, of Ashington, Northumberland, previously admitted to arranging/facilitating the commission of a child sex offence – a charge which predates Mallen’s main abuse plot. On June 1, 2022, she was jailed for three years and two months and given an indefinite Sexual harm Prevention Order.