Child Sexual Offences
A conviction for child sexual offence can be devastating for you and your loved ones. As well as the potential for up to life imprisonment, you could also lose your job and your reputation, as well as the inevitable impact on your family. This can make it very hard to move on with your life in future. We can offer same day appointments including virtual and out of hours if you work.
Our specialist sexual offences defence team have supported clients facing child sexual offence allegations for over 40 years. We have the detailed approach and strong advocacy skills to help you avoid charges or see charges dropped wherever possible. Where charges cannot be avoided, we can ensure you have the best possible representation at trial.
If you have been arrested or charged with a child sexual offence, you can contact us 24-hours a day, seven days a week for immediate expert advice and representation.
Get in touch
Why choose JD Spicer Zeb?
- 1000s Cases Dropped
- 24/7 Emergency Phonelines
- 100s Years Combined Experience
- Read all Reviews
Recent Cases
There is limited recourse for you if you are falsely accused. Click a selection of the cases we have covered. The best thing you can do is to instruct an excellent solicitor from the outset.
We speak a variety of languages across our team and work with a number of accredited interpreters, so no matter your background, we can make sure you have clear, effective advice and representation in any language for all stages of criminal proceedings.
For a free initial consultation on dealing with allegations of committing a child sexual offence, please contact our local offices in London, Birmingham or Manchester.
Need immediate legal support for allegations of a child sexual offence? Our accredited Police Station Representatives and solicitors are available 24 hours a day 365 days a year using the emergency numbers listed at the top of the page.
How can we help?
Common questions
We always work with the most experienced and best leading UK barristers, KCs (Kings Counsel). We cover all criminal cases 24/7 at the police station and court. Offices in London, Birmingham, and Manchester cover cases across England and Wales. We can offer Legal Aid and affordable Private fee agreements. We can see you the same day, including virtually. Our Senior Partners supervise all of our cases.
How quickly do you respond?
We respond quickly even during out of hours. We do not get our work by paying for online adverts but based on the fact that few criminal law firms can match our 45 years of experience. Most of our cases are still from word-of-mouth recommendations from satisfied clients. We are called daily by dissatisfied clients from firms with less experience than us. We respond very quickly to new enquiries. We know what clients seek and so we update clients rapidly.
Can you get cases dropped?
Yes, read about the recent cases we've helped our clients with here.
We always keep you updated and give straightforward advice. We will get cases dropped early where the case is weak or should not be prosecuted. We will be upfront with you about where you can benefit from a good result with an early guilty plea, such as a discount on your sentence. As we work on cases across all levels with clients from all walks of life, we are excellent at giving clear, spot-on advice. As an established firm, we can allocate a whole team to your case often at short notice to secure evidence to minimise the damage to you.
Have you won any awards?
OUR PROFESSIONAL BODY THE LAW SOCIETY AWARDED US IN OCTOBER 2020 WITH THE EXCELLENCE IN CLIENT SERVICE AWARD AND STATED -
"JD Spicer Zeb demonstrated a clear commitment to client service through their work with vulnerable and diverse individuals in what can be severely traumatic circumstances".
Do you offer free consultations?
Where it is possible, we aim to provide an initial consultation to you. If we can speak to you, we can if required inform you about –
- Whether we can take the case on and our relevant experience.
- Public and private funding benefits.
- Assistance in applying for legal aid where we are likely to accept instructions.
- An outline of options in police interview only. We will not advise you on which option to adopt.
- Providing our free written guide explaining the police station process.
- The gravity of routine and day-to-day offences you face.
- Consequences of not attending the court or police station.
- Consequences of interfering with any witnesses.
- Retaining any evidence in support of your case.
- If possible an outline of the elements of the offence that the police or CPS must prove.
- This consultation will normally be by telephone or email and will only be for as long as we deem necessary to establish if we can act for you. If we cannot usefully give you any advice in this manner then we will not continue with the consultation. We will not discuss the case in depth for you to be able to decide on your plea or any significant aspect of the case, as this cannot be undertaken informally.
- Referring you, if possible, to other firms for matters out of our specialism or if we cannot help.
Consultations do not apply to the following cases –
- If we do not intend to take the case on.
- Road Traffic cases, drink driving, drug driving, driving bans, speeding, no insurance, mobile phone use, points etc.
- In all cases where we do not have the capacity to take your case or the availability of suitably qualified staff to provide an initial free consultation. This is applicable in all cases but especially where a more senior lawyer is required because of your personal needs or the complexity of the case.
- Harassment/stalking/ coercive behaviour/malicious communications or road traffic cases and most sensitive cases. These cases are often too complicated to assess in short consultations.
- The locations concerned may be too distant to represent you adequately or it may not be cost-effective for you or us.
- The case is too complicated to assess or raises various charges or facts, complexity, or history to be considered informally or in a short consultation.
- In most Legal aid transfers where legal aid is granted to another firm except in very grave cases, we may assess the case and merits for a transfer.
- If your relationship has broken down with your existing solicitor or several solicitors.
- If you have been released under investigation and have already had a police station attendance.
- If you hold legal aid with another firm and seek a second opinion.
- If you are calling on behalf of the client as a friend or family member unless you have full authority and full facts.
- To businesses.
- Advising whether you were given good advice by your other solicitor.
- Whether to decide to plead guilty or not guilty.
- Whether you have an arguable defence in law or factually complicated defences.
- Any advice you have had after your first court appearance.
- Any advice on appeal on conviction or sentence.
- If we feel we are unable to communicate with you.
- If we are likely to be conflicted or breach our professional rules.
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:
- You do not have to answer any questions asked by the police.
- You should never answer any police questions without a solicitor present.
- You have the right to free legal representation.
- 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.
How can we help?
Useful Information
- How can I get the CPS to drop the charges against me?
- How can I get the police to drop charges against me?
- How can I get the police to caution me?
- Police Stop and Search UK
- Pre-charge bail - What You Need to Know
- Read our Police Station Advice Guide
- Recovering Your Property From The Police
- Released Under Investigation - What You Need to Know
- Types of Evidence used in Law
- Voluntary Police Interview - What You Need to Know
- What is a 'No further action' letter?
- What to expect in Police Custody
- Why Choose a Private Solicitor for a Magistrates' or Crown Court Case?
-
- Umar Zeb
- Senior Partner - Head of Private Client Crime
-
- Lisa Nicol
- Managing Partner - Head of Crime & Serious Cases
-
- James O'Donnell
- Partner Crime - Serious Cases
-
- Sanjay Cholera
- Partner Crime Advocacy
-
- Peter Mulhearn
- Consultant Crime Solicitor
-
- Danny Parkash
- Crime Solicitor
-
- Mimma Sabato
- Barrister
-
- Richard Souper
- Consultant Crime Solicitor
-
- Jonathan Lynn
- Solicitor
-
- Samuel Oduntan
- Solicitor
-
- Barry Linnane
- Crime and Extradition Solicitor
-
- Stuart Lloyd
- Solicitor
-
- Robert Wong
- Crime and Extradition Solicitor
-
- Maeve Carroll
- Paralegal
-
- Rebecca Forbes
- Paralegal
-
- Sachelle Gilbert
- Paralegal