Man jailed for series of sex offences against 13 year old girl in Surrey

The 21-year-old was found guilty of 22 sexual offences

Author: Grace McGachyPublished 29th Jan 2021
Last updated 29th Jan 2021

A man who groomed a 13 year old girl online before sexual assaulting her in Surrey has been jailed for more than 10 years.

21 year old Alex Cadwell of Greenacres Avenue, Uxbridge was found guilty of 22 sexual offences.

He was found guilty of two counts of sexual activity with a child, causing a child to engage in sexual activity and meeting a child following sexual grooming.

He had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted sexual communication with a child, three counts of making indecent images of children and two counts of causing a child to watch a sexual act.

Cadwell was arrested on 30 August 2019 after a report of a rape involving a 13-year-old girl which took place in the toilets to the rear of the British Legion on Hollyhedge Road, Cobham on Saturday, 24 August 2019.

Over the period of a month, Cadwell had groomed the victim online, inciting them to commit sexual acts before meeting in real life. He then engaged in sexual activity with the victim.

His digital devices were seized and further enquiries revealed extensive online grooming of the victim, together with other offences involving other victims.

Cadwell was found not guilty of rape at his trial in November.

Cadwell appeared at Kingston Crown Court via video link today (29 January) where he was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment with a five year extension period and an indefinite notification period on the Sex Offenders Register.

He will also be subject to a strict Sexual Harm Prevention Order when he is released.

Responding to the sentencing, Investigating Officer Detective Sergeant Alan Poland said:

“I hope that this sentence brings some closure to Cadwell’s victims who have shown courage throughout the proceedings from the initial report through to giving evidence in court.

"Further to this, I hope that it acts as a deterrent to those who seek to prey on children for their sexual gratification.

"Whether this is done hiding behind a computer screen, or hiding behind an alias in real-life offenders will be identified, arrested and prosecuted.”