JOSEPH FYLES FROM COBHAM EXPOSED IN CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN LEICESTERSHIRE AND SURREY

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local communities, Joseph Fyles, a solicitor from Cobham, has been found guilty of engaging in a series of online sexual offences involving underage girls. The case, which unfolded over a period from August 2011 to December 2012, revealed a pattern of predatory behavior facilitated through the internet, targeting vulnerable minors in Leicestershire and Surrey.

It was during a court hearing at Leicester Crown Court that the full extent of Fyles' misconduct was disclosed. Prosecutor Alan Murphy detailed how Fyles, aged 34 at the time, had assumed the persona of a teenage American “surfer dude” on various online platforms. Under the false identity of Haydn Baines, he initiated contact with a 13-year-old girl from Leicestershire, convincing her to strip for him via webcam. The girl, unaware of his true identity, followed his instructions to pose in her bedroom, which was located in Leicestershire. During these interactions, Fyles showed her a photograph of an unknown blond-haired, suntanned young man, further fueling his deception.

According to Mr. Murphy, the communication began in 2011 through chat rooms and progressed to text messaging via MSM Messenger and Skype, although there was no vocal contact between them. The conversations became increasingly sexual, with Fyles encouraging the girl to remove her clothing and expose herself on camera. The girl’s school became aware of the situation, prompting police involvement. Fyles was warned that law enforcement was closing in on him, yet he continued his illicit activities.

Further investigations uncovered that Fyles had persuaded at least two other girls of similar ages to perform similar acts online. Police found videos of these victims on his computer, indicating a disturbing pattern of exploitation. Fyles, who was employed as a family lawyer for the National Youth Advocacy Service based in Merseyside, admitted to five counts of inciting a 13-year-old girl to engage in sexual activity via webcam. These incidents occurred over a span of more than a year, from August 2011 to December 2012.

Despite his employment, police reports indicated that there were no concerns about his conduct at work. However, Fyles’ criminal activities extended beyond online grooming. He also admitted to downloading child pornography and creating indecent images of children, which included photographs and video clips of girls aged between 13 and 15. The images ranged from level one to level four in severity, with no images classified as the most serious level five.

Fyles, now residing at Delta Road in Cobham, Surrey, faced a range of charges. In addition to the online sexual offences, he pleaded guilty to possessing and downloading explicit material involving minors. The evidence included approximately 150 images and clips at level one, 50 at level two, and one at level four.

Sentencing him to a three-year community order, Judge Michael Pert emphasized the gravity of Fyles’ actions. The judge stated, “You enticed this young girl to be very stupid on her part for your sexual gratification. You lied to her to get her to do your bidding. That’s exploitation. Girls like her need to be protected from themselves, as well as exploiters.”

Fyles was also ordered to participate in a sex offender treatment program and was placed under a sex offences prevention order, which restricts his future use of computers and will be monitored by authorities. Additionally, he is required to register as a sex offender for five years and is barred from working with children in any capacity.

During mitigation, Trevor Parry-Jones highlighted Fyles’ lack of self-confidence and social difficulties. He revealed that Fyles had voluntarily sought treatment and had resigned from his legal career, which is now effectively over. Fyles has since taken up work as a barman and expressed remorse for his actions, which the court acknowledged as part of his rehabilitation process.