DANIEL ANNIS PREDATORY BUS DRIVER FROM PELAW SENTENCED FOR CHILD GROOMING AND ABUSE IN NEWCASTLE

A man named Daniel Annis, who worked as a bus driver and hails from the Pelaw area, has been handed a prison sentence after being found guilty of serious crimes involving child sexual grooming and abuse. The disturbing case unfolded when Annis initiated contact with a young girl on Snapchat, beginning on her 13th birthday. He sent her well wishes, which marked the start of a troubling pattern of grooming behavior that would span over a year.

Initially, their online conversations revolved around mundane topics, with Annis attempting to establish a rapport. However, as their communication progressed, the tone shifted to more inappropriate and sexualized content. Annis began expressing feelings that were clearly inappropriate, discussing the possibility of a romantic relationship with the young girl. Despite the obvious risks involved, including the potential for detection by online predators or paedophile hunter groups, he continued his manipulative behavior.

His actions escalated when he met the girl in person on two consecutive days. During these meetings, he sought to emotionally manipulate her by making her feel special and valued. He also sent explicit images, including one of his own genitals, which is a serious criminal offense. On the second occasion, he crossed further boundaries by placing his hand on her leg and kissing her. Following this incident, the girl blocked him on social media, but Annis did not cease his attempts to contact her. Instead, he reestablished communication through other social media platforms, making disturbing references to her age and the number of days until she would turn 16, indicating a disturbing fixation.

When police arrested Annis, he claimed that his actions were a moment of madness. However, evidence collected during the investigation showed that his contact with the girl had persisted for more than a year, revealing a pattern of predatory behavior. The victim’s statement was particularly heartbreaking; she believed that Annis cared for her and found it difficult to accept the abuse, often blaming herself for what had happened.

In court, Annis faced multiple charges, including sexual communication with a child, engaging in sexual activity with a child, and meeting a child following sexual grooming. He also admitted to attempting to communicate sexually with a decoy profile while on bail. The Newcastle Crown Court sentenced him to three years and five months in prison. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender, and a sexual harm prevention order along with a restraining order was put in place to protect the victim and others from further harm. His defense team argued that he did not pose a danger to the public and pointed out that he had lost 15 stones following gastric surgery, suggesting a change in his personal circumstances. Nonetheless, the court’s decision reflected the severity of his crimes and the need for ongoing protection for vulnerable individuals in the community.