UXBRIDGE MAN ALEX CADWELL JAILED FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES IN COBHAM AND SURROUNDINGS

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Uxbridge and the nearby area of Cobham, Alex Cadwell, a 21-year-old resident of Greenacres Avenue in Uxbridge, has been convicted of a series of serious sexual offences involving a minor. The case, which unfolded over several months, culminated in a court trial at Kingston Crown Court, where Cadwell was found guilty of 22 separate charges related to the sexual exploitation of a 13-year-old girl.

Cadwell's criminal activities came to light following a report of a rape that occurred on Saturday, August 24, 2019. The incident took place in the toilets located behind the British Legion on Hollyhedge Road in Cobham. The police investigation was initiated after the victim's family reported the assault, leading to Cadwell's swift identification and subsequent arrest on Friday, August 30, 2019.

During the investigation, authorities seized Cadwell’s digital devices, which revealed a pattern of online grooming that spanned over a month. It was established that Cadwell had engaged in extensive online communication with the young girl, encouraging her to perform sexual acts and grooming her for real-life encounters. The investigation uncovered that Cadwell had not only targeted this victim but was also involved in similar offences with other victims, highlighting a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior.

Cadwell was charged with multiple offences, including two counts of sexual activity with a child, making indecent images of a child, inciting a child to commit sexual acts, and causing a child to watch a sexual act. His trial, which lasted two weeks, concluded in November 2020, with the jury returning a guilty verdict on all counts. The court proceedings revealed that Cadwell had previously pleaded guilty to attempted sexual communication with a child, as well as creating indecent images across various categories, and causing a child to observe sexual acts.

On January 29, 2021, Kingston Crown Court sentenced Cadwell to a lengthy prison term of 10 years, with an additional five-year extension period. Furthermore, Cadwell was ordered to be placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely, reflecting the severity of his crimes. The court also imposed a strict Sexual Harm Prevention Order to be enforced upon his release, aimed at preventing any further harm.

Surrey Police and other law enforcement agencies have emphasized the importance of community vigilance and the ongoing efforts to protect minors from online grooming and sexual exploitation. Cadwell’s case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by online predators and the critical need for safeguarding measures to be in place to shield vulnerable children from such predatory individuals.