Child Sexual Offences

Our expertise with child sexual offences

For many years, we have been considered one of the country’s top firms for clients facing allegations of child sexual offences. We know how difficult dealing with these types of accusations can be, so offer clear legal expertise and sympathetic personal support to help you deal with this challenge and get a fair outcome.

Having handled a number of high-profile child sexual offences cases in the past, we can offer the experienced, sensitive approach you need. Our criminal defence lawyers can make sure you have the best possible advice and support for every stage of proceedings, helping to limit any negative impact on your reputation, livelihood and family.

We are highly skilled in the use of forensic evidence, such as DNA, as well as understanding the growing importance of digital evidence, including mobile phone and app data. Our team can ensure no detail or piece of evidence is missed that could prove your innocence.

Our criminal defence team work with many of the country’s leading criminal defence barristers specialising in child sexual offence cases, so if court proceedings cannot be avoided, we can ensure you have the best possible representative for your trial.

What to do if you are accused of committing a sexual offence involving a child

If you are arrested on suspicion of committing a child sexual offence, you must make sure you are familiar with your legal rights as this can be essential to ensuring that you do not say or do anything to unintentionally harm your defence.

When you are due to be interviewed by police in connection with a child sexual offence, please keep in mind the following key facts:

1. You do not have to answer any questions asked by the police.
2. You should never answer any police questions without a solicitor present.
3. You have the right to free legal representation.
4. You can use the duty solicitor available or choose your own lawyer.

When arrested on suspicion of a child sexual offence, the arresting officers must tell you what specific offence you are accused of committing and they must caution you by using the words:

“You do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.”

Following a police interview for a child sexual offence, one of the following will occur:

• You are released with no further action
• You are released under investigation
• You are charged with a specific child sexual offence

If you are charged with a child sexual offence:

• A date will be set for a court hearing
• You will either:
  • Be released on bail
  • Kept in custody until your court appearance

Please be aware, if you are released with no further action or under investigation, you may be rearrested or summonsed to attend court at a later date.

What is a child sexual offence?

There are a wide range of child sexual offences that fall into a number of different categories depending on factors including:

• The age of the alleged victim
• The accused’s relationship to the alleged victim
• The type of sexual activity that is alleged to have taken place

Sexual offences involving children under 13

• Rape of a child under 13
• Assault of a child under 13 by penetration
• Sexual assault of a child under 13
• Causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity

Sexual offences involving children aged 13-15

• Sexual activity with a child
• Causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity

Sexual offences involving a child family member

• Sexual activity with a child family member
• Inciting a child family member to engage in sexual activity

Sexual offences involving a child seeing sexual activity

• Engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child
• Causing a child to watch a sexual act

Child grooming offences

• Arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence
• Meeting a child following sexual grooming

Child sexual offences involving abuse of position of trust

• Abuse of position of trust: sexual activity with a child
• Abuse of position of trust: causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
• Abuse of position of trust: sexual activity in the presence of a child
• Abuse of position of trust: causing a child to watch a sexual act

Child pornography offences

• Possession of indecent photograph of a child Criminal Justice Act 1988
• Indecent photographs of children Protection of Children Act 1978

Child exploitation offences

• Causing or inciting sexual exploitation of a child
• Controlling a child in relation to sexual exploitation
• Arranging or facilitating sexual exploitation of a child
• Paying for the sexual services of a child

Penalties for child sexual offences

The penalties on conviction for a child sexual offence are very serious, including the potential for up to life imprisonment for the most serious charges, such as rape of a child under 13 and assault of a child under 13 by penetration.

Factors that will affect the severity of the sentence include:

• The level of physical and/or psychological harm experienced by the victim
• Whether the victim was abducted
• How prolonged the offence was
• Whether violence or threats of violence were used
• Whether the offender forced entry into the victim’s home
• Whether the child is considered particularly vulnerable

If the offender is considered to have a higher level of culpability, this will also usually result in a more severe sentence.

Examples of higher culpability may include where:

• There was a significant degree of planning of the offence
• The offender acted together with others to commit the offence
• The victim was drugged or given alcohol
• The victim was the subject of child grooming
• There was an abuse of trust involved in the offence
• There was a commercial motive to the offence

What defence is there against child sexual offence charges?

When dealing with these types of very serious charges, it is important to make sure all possible avenues of defence are explored.

Potential defences against a charge of a child sexual offence include:

• That no offence took place
• That you reasonably believed the alleged victim was over 16 (only available where the alleged victim was aged 13-15)
• That you only acted to prevent greater harm to the child e.g. supplying condoms or other forms of birth control (if you are accused of “aiding, abetting or counselling” a child sexual offence)

Our child sexual offences defence solicitors can ensure that every possible angle of defence is considered and that no opportunity is missed to help you avoid charges, see charges dropped or secure the best outcome available at trial.

Contact our child sexual offences defence lawyers today

For urgent specialist advice, immediate representation or to speak to us confidentially about allegations of a child sexual offence or any other type of sexual offence, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

You can contact our dedicated criminal defence lawyers in London, Birmingham, and Manchester by telephone on:

• Brent & Camden London Office: 020 7624 7771
• Manchester Office: 0161 835 1638
• Birmingham Office: 0121 614 3333
• City of London: 0207 624 7771 (our senior Solicitors and Partners can meet by appointment in the City)

Or email: solicitors@jdspicer.co.uk

Alternatively, you can fill out our quick online enquiry form, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

24/7 legal representation for child sexual offences allegations

For immediate representation and advice on dealing with allegations of sexual offences involving children, or any other type of sexual offence, anywhere in England or Wales at any time, please contact our Emergency Number: 07836 577 556.