Barry Radford: Paedophile jailed for grooming was also wanted in Australia

A paedophile jailed for grooming teenage boys was also wanted by police in Australia, it has emerged.

Barry Radford, 53, a spray painter based in Northumberland, pleaded guilty at Newcastle Crown Court to a series of charges, including inciting a child into sexual activity, grooming and possessing indecent images.

His crimes were discovered last year when one of the boys went to the police. “Barry is a very dangerous man – he knows exactly what he was doing,” the boy said.

It subsequently emerged that Radford had been wanted in Australia for alleged sexual offences said to have been committed in 1999.

Australia issued arrest warrants in 2002 after Radford apparently moved back to the UK in 2000.

In 2007, Interpol contacted Northumbria Police after he had been stopped in the North East for a driving offence.

But he was not sent back to Australia, and in 2009 the authorities there revoked the warrants.

That meant he was able to prey on teenage boys in Northumberland.

He groomed them by giving them money, buying them expensive trainers, letting them drink and smoke cannabis at his home, and taking them out in his camper van to caravan sites and trampoline parks.

He took photos of one of his victims when he had passed out because of drink and drugs, and on another occasion paid him so that he could take further indecent pictures.

He had more than 1,000 images of other children.

Richard Herrmann, defending, said Radford was remorseful and had pleaded guilty at an early opportunity.

But Judge Amanda Rippon told Radford that his offending had had a “profound effect” on his victims and their mental health.

The 53-year-old was jailed for 12 years.

A New South Wales Police spokesman said outside court: “In 2000, it was established that the man had left Australia and travelled to the UK.

“In 2002, NSW Police issued two warrants for his arrest, however a decision was made to revoke them in 2009.

“Given the man remains before the courts in the UK, it would be inappropriate to comment on further action by NSW Police.”

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: “We can confirm we were made aware, by international partners, of Radford in 2007, who was suspected of living in our area at the time.

“This was an intelligence-led request by police in Australia.

“This was an investigation by New South Wales Police and we had no power of arrest.

“We are unable to comment on this any further.”

(c) Sky News 2019: Barry Radford: Paedophile jailed for grooming was also wanted in Australia