MICHAEL BERKLEY GUILTY OF CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN DISS

In June 2014, a man from Diss, Norfolk, Michael Berkley, was found guilty of grooming and sexually abusing a 14-year-old boy. Berkley, 46, of Friars Meadow in Diss, had met the teenager online and used a deception involving promises of a 'magic school' to lure the boy into meeting him. Norwich Crown Court heard that he assured the boy he could join a special magic school as a means to gain his trust.

Berkley-Matthews denied three charges: breaching a sexual offences prevention order (SOPO), meeting a child following sexual grooming, and engaging in sexual activity with a minor. However, after roughly two hours of jury deliberation, he was unanimously convicted on all counts.

Judge Nicholas Coleman stated that Berkley-Matthews is expected to be sentenced in six weeks, once reports evaluating the potential risks he poses are prepared. Court records revealed that Berkley-Matthews has an extensive criminal history comprising 53 previous convictions, including sexual offences, grooming, assaults, theft, and driving while disqualified.

Prosecutor Claire Matthews highlighted the significance of Berkley-Matthews knowing the victim’s interest in magic, describing it as a trap: "It’s a lure. It’s a topic in which he is interested and promises are made to get him into a magic group." She explained that Berkley-Matthews arranged to meet the boy in Diss and subsequently subjected him to sexual assault.

Berkley-Matthews has a long history as a sex offender, having used approximately 25 different aliases to change his identity. He is registered on the sex offenders register and is subject to a sexual offences prevention order, which legally prohibits contact with minors. The victim expressed that Berkley-Matthews’ sexual advances made him feel very insecure.