BARRY COLLINS SENTENCED FOR ATTEMPTED CHILD ABDUCTION IN SLUGH AND WEST DRAYTON

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Slough and West Drayton, a man identified as Barry Collins has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison after admitting to serious criminal charges involving attempted child abduction and the possession of indecent images of children.

The incident unfolded on the morning of Thursday, November 1, 2012, on Lower Cippenham Lane in Slough. According to reports, Collins, aged 55 and residing on Hatton Grove in West Drayton, approached two young girls, aged seven and eight, under the guise of seeking directions. The initial encounter appeared innocent enough, with Collins asking the children for guidance. However, the situation quickly escalated when Collins drove away after the initial approach, only to return moments later in his vehicle.

Upon his return, Collins made a disturbing proposition to the girls, instructing them to enter his car with the promise of giving them money. One of the girls complied and got into the back of the vehicle, while the other girl, alarmed by the situation, shouted at her friend to exit the car. Fortunately, a vigilant witness passing by noticed the distress and intervened, causing Collins to drive off once again.

Following this alarming incident, Collins was arrested later that same afternoon. During the course of the investigation, authorities uncovered indecent images stored on his computer, which further implicated him in criminal activity. On November 27, 2012, Collins was formally charged with two counts of attempted child abduction and one count of possessing indecent images of children.

At Reading Crown Court on Friday, April 26, 2013, Collins pleaded guilty to all charges. The court subsequently sentenced him to three and a half years in prison, a decision that underscores the severity of his offenses. Detective Constable Sukh Kanwar, the officer leading the investigation, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “I am pleased with the sentence handed down to Collins, who is clearly a dangerous individual and has been removed from the streets and communities of Slough and put behind bars.”

This case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to protect vulnerable children and maintain safety within local communities, especially in areas like Slough and West Drayton where such incidents can cause widespread concern and fear among residents.