John Siddell, 41, from Northumberland, was described by somebody who cared for him in hospital as ‘probably the most verbal non-verbal particular person’ that they had ever seen.
Little one abuser who faked incapacity to evade justice jailed for 15 years
A vile paedophile pretended he could not communicate and wanted a wheelchair in a bid to keep away from being jailed for little one abuse. John Siddell, 41, went to Elvis Presley nights at a social membership and was videoed strolling unaided, whereas faking a extreme sickness when police started investigating his sexual offences in opposition to three boys.
His brother, James Siddell, 44, helped him preserve lies about his well being, together with by suggesting to psychiatrists he was unfit for trial. John Siddell sexually abused the youngsters, who had been beneath 14, between 2018 and 2021 whereas he was dwelling in Leicestershire. He was jailed on Tuesday for 15 years plus a two-year prolonged sentence whereas his brother was handed two years and 9 months in jail. In a fact-finding listening to, a jury decided he had abused the boys.
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John Siddell, 41, went to Elvis Presley nights at a social membership and was filmed strolling unaided (Picture: Leicestershire Police)
Choose Keith Raynor, in his sentencing remarks at Leicester Crown Courtroom, mentioned the brothers’ behaviour was “scheming and devious”. He mentioned: “They misrepresented John Siddell’s psychological and bodily skills, the behaviour of each of them totally corrupting and undermining the course of justice.”
Prosecutor Claudia James informed the courtroom the brothers lived a “not-so-covert double life”. She mentioned: “The brothers’ busy social lives partly unravelled their deception, as documented by social media, photographs taken on their telephones and their very own house CCTV.”
Ms James mentioned when John Siddell appeared bodily impaired it “couldn’t be extra completely different” to his being pictured “strolling, speaking and interesting with others in his native social membership”.
She added he took selfies during which he was capable of smile and pose together with his head up and eyes open. In a single picture he was ingesting a pint of Guinness.
Video footage captured him strolling unaided and utilizing his wheelchair like a “trolley” to maneuver home goods over a mile in June 2022.
James Siddell (pictured) helped his brother preserve the lie about his well being (Picture: Leicestershire Police)
A press release offered by an individual who cared for him in hospital in July 2024 mentioned he was “probably the most verbal non-verbal particular person I’ve ever seen”, the courtroom heard.
Choose Raynor mentioned Siddell was saved in hospital for 2 weeks “on the taxpayers’ expense” whereas an “extraordinarily pressed Nationwide Well being Service ought to have been doing their job with different deserving sufferers”.
Siddell satisfied psychiatrists he was unfit to participate in a legal trial throughout an evaluation when his brother spoke on his behalf.
Ms James mentioned John Siddell “offered as wheelchair-bound, refused to open his eyes and was unable to carry his personal head up”.
One other psychiatrist concluded in Could 2024 that there was “no dependable foundation” that Siddell was unfit to face trial.
The courtroom heard that the month earlier than, a police officer noticed him sat upright in his wheelchair speaking with James earlier than dramatically altering as soon as arriving on the workplace for his evaluation.
After being charged with perverting the course of justice, the defendants didn’t attend a plea listening to in July final 12 months, when it was claimed that John Siddell had suffered a seizure and was taken to hospital.
In a single picture Siddell may very well be seen ingesting a pint of Guinness (Picture: Leicestershire Police)
In September, he pleaded responsible to 5 counts of sexual assault of a kid beneath 13, 5 counts of sexual assault, one rely of inflicting or inciting a baby to interact in sexual exercise, and 4 counts of inflicting or inciting a baby beneath 13 to interact in sexual exercise.
Each brothers admitted perverting the course of justice between November 2021 and August 2025.
A press release learn to courtroom on behalf of the victims, who can’t be recognized, mentioned they’re nonetheless coping with the consequences of the abuse.
The brothers, of Bolam Drive, Ashington, Northumberland, didn’t attend their sentencing listening to on Tuesday.
Defending John Siddell, counsel Jamie Adams mentioned the defendant is a “very susceptible and deprived human being” who has been recognized with epilepsy, autism and studying disabilities.
Mr Adams added Siddell’s kin “exaggerated John’s ill-health all through his life to get some monetary profit”.
James Siddell’s barrister, Nicholas Peacock, informed the courtroom his consumer was in a “generationally dysfunctional household who largely survived on the advantages system”.
Det Cons Matt Gibson from Leicestershire Police mentioned after sentencing: “It has taken greater than 4 years for the victims and their household to have justice and a few sense of closure.
“The lengths John Siddell went to in an try to keep away from jail is really stunning – and the very fact his brother was additionally a part of this elaborate plan makes it much more disturbing. I’m happy justice has lastly prevailed.”
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