Fazakerley man charged with child sex offences

A Fazakerley man has been charged with multiple child sex offences as part of an investigation into messages shared online.

Ian Smyth, 45 years, from Fazakerley was arrested on Friday 19 June following enquiries carried out by Merseyside Police’s Online Child Abuse Investigation Team.

He was charged the following day with the following offences:

• Rape of a girl under 13
• Making an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child
• Making an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child
• Distributing an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child
• Possessing a knife blade/sharp pointed article in a public place
• Making an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child
• Engaging in sexual activity with a girl under 13

 He appeared in Liverpool Magistrates Court on Saturday where he was further remanded into custody to appear at Liverpool Crown Court on 20 July.

If you have been a victim of sexual offence or have concerns for someone you know, call 101 where you will be spoken to by specially trained officers. In an emergency, always call 999.

Alternatively, you can pass information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their website here: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously

If you do not require immediate police assistance, then you can report rape and sexual assault anonymously via our website: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences/how-to-report-rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/

For more information visit www.merseyside.police.uk/VAWG

If you are a child or young person suffering sexual or physical abuse, the following organisations provide help and support:

NSPCC – call 0808 800 5000 or e-mail [email protected].

Childline – call 0800 1111

If you have been a victim of sexual assault or rape, you can access specialist support services, which are free of charge and available to anyone. You do not need a referral or to have reported an incident to Merseyside Police before you access these specialist support services.

These services can support you in a variety of ways, including offering a confidential discussion if you are thinking of making a police report, but are unsure what that involves and would like to discuss it.

If you do decide to report to Merseyside Police, you will receive support throughout the investigation, court process and beyond.

In Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral, support is provided by Rape and Sexual Abuse Support (RASA) Merseyside who are available on 0151 558 1801 and, in St Helens and Knowsley, by the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC) Cheshire and Merseyside who can be contacted on 01925 221 546 or 0330 363 0063.

Support is also available through the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Victim Care Merseyside service: Home: Victim Care Merseyside