THOMAS CORDELLE CAUGHT IN ALDRIDGE SEX CHAT SCANDAL INVOLVING AMERICAN SCHOOLGIRLS

In April 2023, a disturbing case emerged involving Thomas Cordelle, a resident of Aldridge, who engaged in illicit online communications with underage girls. The case drew significant attention due to the nature of his actions and the subsequent legal proceedings.

Thomas Cordelle, a 34-year-old unemployed man living in Aldridge, found himself in police custody after a series of alarming revelations about his online behavior. The police reports indicated that Cordelle, who was previously banned from communicating with minors, had violated court orders by secretly engaging in conversations with three schoolgirls via Snapchat. These conversations included the exchange of explicit photographs and sexually suggestive language.

According to court documents, Cordelle sent obscene images of his genitals, referred to himself as 'daddy,' and expressed a disturbing 'fantasy' involving sexual activity with the young girls. The Wolverhampton Crown Court heard that despite being under a sexual harm prevention order, he continued to flout restrictions, which prohibited him from using the internet or social media, and from communicating with children under 16.

In September 2021, Cordelle was subjected to a seven-year sexual harm prevention order following his conviction on two counts of attempted sexual communication with a minor. This order mandated routine home visits, restrictions on internet use, and the deletion of his search history. Additionally, he was given a six-month suspended sentence, which was to be served over 18 months.

Further investigations revealed that during a home visit on August 15 of the previous year, Cordelle’s offender manager examined his mobile device. It was discovered that he had deleted his search history up until August 7, raising suspicions. The prosecutor, Nicholas Tatlow, explained that Cordelle appeared 'visibly anxious' during the visit, prompting police to call him in for an interview the following day.

During the police interview, Cordelle admitted to viewing adult pornography involving 'role-play' scenarios between fathers and daughters, as well as engaging in sexual chats on Snapchat and various dating websites. He claimed that he had deleted his search history but insisted that the content was only related to adults. Police issued him a caution but retained his mobile phone for further examination.

However, just two days later, Cordelle returned to Bloxwich police station in an 'emotional state' and 'pleaded' for a second interview. During this session, he confessed to having conversations with children on Snapchat and admitted to sending explicit photographs of his genitals. He also revealed that he had received intimate images from young girls, acknowledging that they looked like children and were aware of their age.

Mr. Tatlow stated that Cordelle believed the girls were from America, reasoning that this would help him avoid detection. Despite his claims of not having a sexual interest in children, the three girls involved, aged between 12 and 15, had engaged in highly sexualized chats with him. Their identities remain undisclosed.

In court, Cordelle pleaded guilty to three counts of attempted sexual communication with a child and one count of attempting to breach a sexual harm prevention order, covering the period from June 22 to July 8 of the previous year. The sentencing, delivered by Recorder Warner, resulted in a three-year community order. This included 150 hours of unpaid work, participation in a sex offender treatment program, and a 40-day rehabilitation activity requirement. Additionally, he was fined £100 and ordered to remain on the sex offenders register. The existing sexual harm prevention order will continue to be enforced, ensuring ongoing restrictions and monitoring.