Children’s charity boss admits string of sex attacks on prostitutes at New Brighton home

Mar 24 2010 Birkenhead News

A CHILDREN’S charity boss has admitted a string of sadistic sex attacks on four prostitutes.

Matthew Byrne, 38, made his victims dress up as young schoolgirls before carrying out the horrific sex assaults at his home in Tollemache Street, New Brighton.

Liverpool crown court heard the senior charity worker tied up, gagged and strangled his victims for his own sexual pleasure.

Byrne also admitted using a sexual implement to torture one of his victims.

When police raided Byrne’s home, in New Brighton, they discovered he had turned a bedroom into a torture chamber. Officers discovered a double bed with shackles to each bed post, a leather collar, a cane, rope, tape, girls’ clothing and sexual implements.

Byrne, who ran the Young Person’s Advisory Service, used to work with children as young as 10.

He pleaded guilty to four charges of sexual assault and one of assault by penetration between July 1, 2008, and May 31, 2009. He also admitted four charges of making indecent images of children.

Judge John Phipps ordered Byrne to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register. He will be sentenced on April 21.