Retford Paedophile Jailed, Police Cycle Marking & Neighbourhood Plans
Good morning readers, its another Wednesday already and a huge welcome to our new newsletter subscribers - Thank You !
It continues to be a quiet week on the news front but no excuse needed to put the kettle on and see what biscuits are in the cupboard.
Today's Quote of the Day - “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”― Mae West
Enjoy the read, please email us if you have a story for us and have a great day wherever you are in Bassetlaw.
Justin Doddy, Editor
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Jail for Retford paedophile who targeted girl online
A paedophile has been jailed after exchanging sexual images with a 13-year-old girl.
Ardian Mason, aged 28, came to the attention of Nottinghamshire Police after uploading indecent images over an online messaging app.
After his arrest on 3 December 2024, Mason told officers he'd seen 'child porn' content on the app but said his account was no longer active.
He later admitted to possessing links containing indecent images of children and to transferring them to a secure folder.
Officers accessed the content after forensically examining Mason's mobile phone and discovered more than 1,000 Category A child sexual abuse images, each depicting the most serious sexual abuse that can be committed against children and babies.
They also uncovered more than 1,000 Category B and C images, along with more than 100 extreme pornographic images of adults, some depicting acts with animals.
Officers also discovered a series of images and chats involving the same teenage girl, who they were later able to identify and safeguard.
Damningly, Mason had sent some of the images to a woman he had met online using an assumed name.
Mason, of London Road, Retford, later pleaded guilty to:
- six counts of causing/inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity
- two counts of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child
- five counts of distributing an indecent photograph of a child
- possessing an indecent photograph of a child
- and possessing an extreme pornographic image
Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court on Wednesday 26 August, he was given an extended 12-year sentence - nine in custody and three years on extended licence.
He was also handed a restraining order banning him from any further contact with his victim, and was also made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order that will tightly restrict his internet use and his access to children.
Detective Constable Sarah Stonley, of the Internet Child Sexual Exploitation Team, said:
"Mason is a predatory and calculating offender who poses a clear risk to children.
"During his arrest, he referred to having seen what he referred to as 'CP' or 'child pornography'.
"In reality there is no such thing, because what we are talking about here is the sexual assault and rape of babies and children by adults.
"Mason had already committed a series of very serious offences in amassing such a large collection of this child sexual abuse material.
"However, in enticing a girl to engage in sexual activity in the way he did, he committed even more serious offences for which he will spend a very significant period of time in prison.
"I hope this sentence serves as a warning to others about the consequences of this depraved behaviour."
Carlton in Lindrick Neighbourhood Plan Referendum
This Thursday, 3rd September 2026, a Neighbourhood Plan Referendum will take place to ask residents in Carlton in Lindrick whether they would like the Council to use the neighbourhood plans to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area.
🚴♀️🚴♂️ Cyclists, don't miss out! 🚴♂️🚴♀️
Courtesy of Nottinghamshire County Council, our final planned Cycle Marking Event of the summer is taking place on Sunday 6th September at Cuckney Village Hall.
🕙 Time: 10am - 2pm
✅ FREE cycle marking
✅ FREE registration on the BikeRegister database
Help protect your bike and make it easier to recover if it's ever lost or stolen. 🔒🚲
📍 Cuckney Village Hall
📅 Sunday 6th September
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Have a great day and I look forward to seeing you read our next newsletter.
Justin Doddy, Editor
Bassetlaw Today
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