AARON KUCUKCAN FROM COLNE AND GISBURN FACES SERIOUS CHARGES OVER SEX OFFENCES

In December 2014, a young man named Aaron Kucukcan found himself back behind bars following a series of disturbing offences involving young girls in the areas of Colne and Gisburn. The 20-year-old was detained after failing to comply with legal requirements to notify authorities of his whereabouts as a registered sex offender, a breach that led to his arrest and subsequent court proceedings at Burnley Crown Court.

During the hearing, Kucukcan’s defense attorney, Richard Taylor, explained that his client was currently without a fixed address, which complicated efforts to secure bail ahead of his sentencing scheduled for early 2015. The court was informed that Kucukcan, formerly residing on Derby Street in Colne, had previously pleaded guilty to the notification offences and to failing to adhere to a community order. These offences were part of a pattern of concerning behavior that had already brought him into the criminal justice system.

Earlier, in February of the same year, Kucukcan appeared before the same court and was convicted of a particularly alarming incident involving the exposure of himself to a 16-year-old girl and her younger sister during a FaceTime video call. The court was told that the defendant had failed to notify authorities of his current details, which is a legal requirement for sex offenders. Recorder Nicholas Clarke, QC, remanded Kucukcan in custody until January 7, indicating that he might face a custodial sentence for breaching his notification obligations.

Prior to these events, in February 2014, Kucukcan had already been involved in a similar offence. He was convicted of exposing himself to two young girls via a mobile phone, an act that had shocked the community and prompted legal action. The court learned that Kucukcan, then 19 and residing at the Todber Caravan Site in Gisburn as well as Derby Street in Colne, had previously been placed on a three-year supervision order. This included participation in a sex offender treatment program, as a judge recognized the need for intervention to prevent further offending.

The prosecution, led by Mr. Rick Holland, detailed how the victimized girls, a 16-year-old and her 13-year-old sister, had received disturbing messages from an unknown source on their new iPhone. The third time the phone rang, the older girl looked to see a male figure exposing himself and touching himself via FaceTime. Both girls were deeply shocked and immediately informed their mother. Investigations revealed that Kucukcan’s phone number was linked to the incident, and the 16-year-old recognized him as the individual involved.

During the court proceedings, Miss Laura Heywood, defending Kucukcan, explained that the defendant had harbored feelings for the girl involved and believed she might have reciprocated his feelings. She described his actions as foolish rather than malicious, emphasizing his remorse and regret for the distress caused. The court was also informed that Kucukcan had a prior conviction dating back to 2010 for exposure, which involved an incident in a wooded area with a woman.

Judge Anthony Russell QC addressed Kucukcan directly, highlighting the serious nature of such offences and the potential for significant emotional harm. He expressed concern that if the underlying issues were not addressed, there was a risk of further, possibly more severe, offending. As part of his sentence, Kucukcan was ordered to stay away from the girls involved for three years through a restraining order. Additionally, he was placed on the sex offenders’ register for five years, underscoring the gravity of his actions and the ongoing risk he poses.