ANDREW ALLEN FROM WIGSTON JAILED FOR GROOMING AND SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING CHILDREN IN LONDON

In a significant case highlighting the ongoing fight against online child exploitation, Andrew Duncan Allen, a resident of Holmden Avenue in Wigston, has been sentenced to prison for a series of heinous crimes involving the grooming and sexual abuse of underage girls.

Allen, who worked as a supermarket home delivery driver, used the internet to target vulnerable young girls. He created an online profile on a social networking site, where he engaged in conversations with girls, some as young as 10 years old. His online activity spanned several years, with forensic analysis revealing over 5,000 chat logs dating back to 2006, many of which involved interactions with minors.

In November of the previous year, Allen initiated contact with what he believed was a 12-year-old girl. Unbeknownst to him, the girl was actually an undercover officer from the Metropolitan Police. During their online exchanges, Allen suggested that they meet in person for sexual activity. He arranged to meet her in London on the morning of December 13. However, police officers were waiting for him at the designated location, and he was promptly arrested and charged the following day.

Further investigation uncovered a disturbing history involving Allen. One of his victims, now aged 19, came forward and provided evidence that Allen had groomed her online when she was just 15. She recounted that he met her in person and took her to a hotel in London, where they engaged in sexual activity. She also revealed that Allen had taken indecent images of her during their encounter.

The police forensic team examined Allen’s computer and discovered more than 5,000 chat logs, many of which contained conversations with young girls, some as young as ten. These logs provided crucial evidence linking him to multiple instances of online grooming and exploitation.

Allen faced multiple charges, including traveling to meet a child for sexual purposes, distributing and possessing indecent images of children, attempting to cause a child to view a sexual act, and engaging in sexual activity with a minor. He pleaded guilty to five of these charges.

At Southwark Crown Court, Allen was sentenced to four years and eight months in prison for his crimes. The case underscores the seriousness with which authorities are treating online child exploitation and the importance of vigilance in protecting minors from predators.

Acting Detective Chief Inspector Noel McHugh, from the Metropolitan Police’s paedophile unit, emphasized the department’s commitment to tackling such offenders. He stated, “Allen’s arrest and conviction demonstrate our total commitment to targeting the most dangerous offenders both on and offline. I believe Allen has committed further crimes, and I would urge anyone who believes they may have been a victim to report the incident to police.”

Members of the public are encouraged to contact the police directly at 020 7161 3871, or to reach out anonymously through Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111 or Childline at 0800 1111, to help prevent further abuse and bring offenders to justice.