DANIEL PUSEY AND DIANE CHILCOTT SENTENCED IN CHERTSEY AND WEST DRAYTON CHILD TRAFFICKING CASE

In a significant legal development, both Daniel Pusey and Diane Chilcott have been convicted in connection with a disturbing case involving child abuse and human trafficking. The trial, which took place at Guildford Crown Court, revealed a pattern of exploitation targeting teenage girls aged between 13 and 15 years old, with the offenders operating across locations in Surrey and West London, including Chertsey and West Drayton.

Daniel Pusey, aged 21 and residing on Money Lane in West Drayton, along with 40-year-old Diane Chilcott of Rutherwyk Road in Chertsey, orchestrated a series of manipulative and abusive acts. The court heard that the pair would lure young girls into their control, often at Chilcott’s residence in Surrey, where they would be subjected to alcohol and cigarette consumption, further rendering them vulnerable to exploitation. The abuse did not end there; Chilcott would then drive the girls to various hotels located in Staines, Twickenham, Tolworth, and Heathrow. At these locations, the victims were given additional alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs, which facilitated the sexual abuse carried out by Pusey.

The offences spanned from January to February 2016, and the case uncovered a calculated pattern of exploitation. Richard Haycock, a representative from Surrey Police’s Complex Abuse Unit, described the actions as “calculated exploitation of young teenage girls by individuals who clearly knew what they were doing.” He emphasized that the offenders supplied alcohol to make the victims more susceptible to sexual abuse and noted that both Pusey and Chilcott were aware of the girls’ ages but continued their abusive conduct on multiple occasions.

During the trial, it was revealed that Pusey had been found guilty of seven separate offences related to sexual activity with a child, although these details could not be publicly disclosed until the conclusion of the case in April 2017 due to legal restrictions. The recent four-week trial confirmed Pusey’s guilt on four counts of facilitating travel to exploit, while Chilcott was convicted of three such counts. The prosecution, led by Christine Mission from the Crown Prosecution Service, argued that the defendants falsely claimed ignorance of the exploitation, asserting they had no intention of abusing the girls and were unaware that another person would commit offences against them. The jury rejected these claims, affirming the defendants’ guilt.

Law enforcement officials highlighted that human trafficking laws are comprehensive, covering not only international movement but also internal travel within the UK. This legal framework enabled authorities to successfully prosecute both Pusey and Chilcott for their roles in this case.

Both offenders are scheduled to be sentenced on December 18 at Portsmouth Crown Court. The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing issues surrounding child exploitation and the importance of vigilant law enforcement and community awareness in combating such crimes.