Today, Tuesday 16 July, a man from Norris Green has been jailed for more than seven years for committing child sex offences.
Joseph Phillip Duffy, 26 years, of Utting Avenue East, Norris Green pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court and was sentenced to seven years and nine months in prison, plus five years extended sentence. He also received an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will be subject to the sexual offender notification requirements for life.
The court heard that officers from OCAIT (Online Child Abuse Investigation Team) at Merseyside Police were alerted to an Instagram user who had uploaded indecent images of children onto the platform early last year.
Following an investigation, officers executed a warrant at Duffy’s address and seized six digital devices (four mobile phones, one tablet and one storage device) and examined them. Detectives discovered that Duffy had been sexual communicating and had engaged in sexual activity with a 14-year-old child he had met on social media. Enquiries were carried out and eventually, the victim was identified.
Duffy was charged with 13 offences which included three counts of Engage in penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13-15, two counts of Cause/ Incite a girl 13-15 to engage in sexual activity, two counts of Engage in Sexual Communications with a child, three counts of Make Indecent Images of a Child, Possess Extreme Pornographic Image and Possess a Controlled Drug – Cannabis.
Officer in Charge of the investigation, Detective Constable Rory Quigley from OCAIT, said: “Today’s sentencing follows a lengthy investigation to bring Duffy before the courts so that he pays for his crimes.
“The victim showed immense courage and bravery throughout the process. His predatory action on an underage girl is having a lasting impact on her and her family.
“Merseyside Police is completely committed to protecting children from sexual abuse and those who seek to do them harm.
“We hope that he will now reflect on the consequences of his utterly depraved actions while serving his jail time.”
Detective Constable Quigley added: “I would like to take this opportunity to stress that if you have experienced any form of sexual abuse, or know of a child being abused, please come forward and report this to police.
“We take all such reports extremely seriously and if you can find the courage to come forward and speak to us we have specially trained officers who will treat you with sensitivity and compassion.”
If you are a child or young person suffering sexual or physical abuse, the following organisations can also provide help and support:
NSPCC – call 0808 800 5000 or e-mail [email protected].
Childline – call 0800 1111
If you’ve been affected by sexual violence of any kind don’t be afraid to tell someone, find the courage to come forward and get the help you deserve.
You can report rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences anonymously here: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences/how-to-report-rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/
There is a lot of support available from specialist officers within Merseyside Police and through the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Victim Care Merseyside service delivered jointly by two registered charities.
In Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral, support is provided by Rape and Sexual Abuse Support (RASA) Merseyside who are available on 0151 558 1801 and, in St Helens and Knowsley, by the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC) Cheshire and Merseyside who can be contacted on 01925 221 546 or 0330 363 0063.
