DANIEL BRAMAH FROM CLAPHAM AND EARLSFIELD ESCAPES JAIL AFTER PREDATORY PLOT WITH 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN COVENTRY

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the local communities of Clapham, Earlsfield, and Coventry, Daniel Braham, aged 25, narrowly avoided a custodial sentence after being convicted of serious online child abuse offences. The case unfolded after Braham, who resides in Earlsfield, engaged in a sinister online exchange with a 12-year-old girl from Coventry, during which he sent her explicit photographs of himself performing a sex act. The communication escalated as Braham arranged to meet the girl and her friend for sexual activity, believing they were both of legal age.

However, the plan was foiled when the girl’s parents, concerned about her skipping school, confiscated her laptop and mobile phone. During this intervention, they discovered explicit images of Braham on her devices, which prompted immediate police involvement. When officers arrested Braham, they uncovered a disturbing collection of digital material on his computer—111 photos and videos depicting child sexual abuse, ranging from less severe to the most serious categories of exploitation.

At Coventry Crown Court last week, Braham pleaded guilty to sending the girl a sexually explicit image and possessing indecent images of children. During the proceedings, he claimed that he believed the girl was at least 14, asserting that he thought she was between 14 and 16 years old, not as young as 12. Despite this, the court found his claims unconvincing and noted the gravity of his actions.

Judge Richard Griffith-Jones commented that Braham had narrowly avoided immediate imprisonment “by the skin of his teeth,” emphasizing that the lengthy three-year delay in bringing the case to court and Braham’s previous good character influenced the decision. The judge stated, “You could have no argument if you had gone to prison today for the best part of a year. That would have been justified because of the gravity of the offence.”

As a result, Braham was sentenced to 30 weeks in prison, suspended for two years. Additionally, he was ordered to complete 80 hours of unpaid community service. The court also mandated that he sign the sex offenders register for seven years, attend a specialized sex offenders’ treatment program, and adhere to a five-year sexual offences prevention order that restricts his internet use. Furthermore, Braham was ordered to pay £1,100 in court costs.

The court heard that the Coventry schoolgirl had pretended to be 16 and exchanged explicit images with Braham, who was 22 at the time. She had told him she wanted sex because “all my other mates have done it,” and they had discussed meeting up, with the girl even suggesting she would bring a friend for a threesome. Braham, in his defense, stated that he believed she was between 14 and 16 and that there was no indication she was younger than 14. He admitted that the conversations were inappropriate but claimed he simply went along with them.

In interviews, Braham blamed his heavy cocaine use for his poor judgment but insisted he would never have actually met the girl. Prosecutor Eugene Hickey highlighted that the girl had entered into the exchanges willingly, further complicating the case. The court also ordered Braham to pay costs amounting to £1,100, reflecting the seriousness of his offences and the need for ongoing monitoring and rehabilitation.