PHILIP FARLEY FROM EVERTON SENTENCED FOR ABUSIVE SCHEME INVOLVING SCHOOLGIRLS AND FAKE DIET PILLS IN LIVERPOOL

In December 2016, a disturbing case emerged involving Philip Farley, a man residing in Everton, who engaged in a calculated and manipulative scheme targeting vulnerable schoolgirls. Farley, aged 48 and living at Crete Tower in Everton, orchestrated a series of heinous acts that combined deception, sexual abuse, and psychological manipulation.

According to court proceedings, Farley supplied two young girls with counterfeit diet pills, falsely promising that these pills would help them shed weight rapidly. He further convinced the victims that participating in surveys about the effects of these drugs could earn them substantial amounts of money, even suggesting that their earnings could reach thousands of pounds. The scheme was carefully planned, with Farley going as far as forcing the girls to undergo urine tests under the pretense of scientific evaluation, all part of his elaborate and sinister plot.

Prosecutor Ben Jones outlined the details of the case, stating, “The defendant pretended in each case they were a magical slimming product and that through a friend and by answering surveys about their effect, the girls could make money.” He added that Farley told each girl that their weight loss would be enhanced if they were sexually stimulated, claiming this would produce oestrogen, a hormone linked to female sexual development. Under the guise of providing massages, Farley then sexually abused each victim, exploiting their trust and vulnerability.

It was revealed during the trial at Liverpool Crown Court that the abuse occurred decades apart, with the younger girl coming forward first after revealing Farley's misconduct. Her account prompted the older victim, who had suffered similar abuse, to also speak out. The younger girl recounted that Farley handed her “skinny tablets” and explained that he needed to touch her to make the pills effective, promising her “loads of money” in return. She also stated that Farley claimed her first victim had earned approximately £20,000 from the scheme, and that he had performed sex acts on her after giving her the pills.

Further investigation into the younger girl’s mobile phone revealed text messages from Farley discussing tablets, payments, hormones, and oestrogen. Although Farley claimed that the messages appeared “terrible,” he insisted there was nothing inappropriate about them. The older victim explained that she had initially tried to suppress her memories, attempting to “put the past in a box,” but eventually decided to come forward and report the abuse.

Farley failed to appear at a trial scheduled in October but was brought back to court in November, where he pleaded guilty to 15 charges, including indecent assaults and sexual activity with children. Judge Denis Watson, QC, condemned Farley’s actions, emphasizing that he exploited the girls during a particularly vulnerable period in their lives and took deliberate steps to conceal his misconduct.

Addressing the younger victim’s case, Judge Watson stated, “You took an utterly cynical decision to say to her that if she participated in a made-up scheme of taking slimming pills, the combination of the pills and sexual stimulation could assist with weight loss. You preyed on her insecurities, pretended there were considerable sums of money to be earned, and, by plying her with alcohol, began to massage her. This continued with some form of fake test when you persuaded her you were testing for chemicals in her urine, with some fake urine sampling being done.”

As a result of his crimes, Philip Farley was sentenced to 12 and a half years in prison. Additionally, he was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life, and he will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order along with two restraining orders that will remain in effect indefinitely. The court’s ruling underscores the severity of his offenses and the lasting impact on his victims, highlighting the importance of justice in cases of sexual exploitation and abuse involving minors.