Westcliff: Man found guilty of sexual offences against a child

It took a jury just 90 minutes to decide a man was guilty of multiple sexual offences, following an investigation by our Quest team.

Daniel Carroll, 44 of Westbourne Grove, Westcliff-on-sea appeared at Basildon Crown Court on Tuesday, 11 June, where following a three -week trial, he was found guilty of nine sexual offences including three counts of rape of a child.

An investigation was launched in 2020 after Essex Police received a report from a girl to say she had been sexually abused on multiple occasions by Carroll over a two-year-period.

Carroll was arrested and searches at his address located mobile phones containing indecent images of children. These images included category A images which are classified as some of the most serious prohibited images of children.

In February 2023, Carroll was charged with two counts of rape of a child under 13, one count of rape of a child over 13, three counts of causing a child to watch a sexual act and three counts of multiple possession of indecent images of children.

After pleading not guilty to all offences, Carroll went on trial at Basildon Crown Court on 20 May 2024.

The jury returned within 90 minutes to find Daniel Carroll guilty on all nine offences on Tuesday, 11 June 2024.

He was remanded into custody and will next appear at Cambridge Crown Court on 18 July 2024 for sentencing.

Following the conviction, the victim said the following:

“I hoped every day that when this is all over, I can begin to concentrate on me. I want to work on getting better and looking after myself and just maybe I have a chance of not living in constant fear and anxiety now knowing that everyone knows what Carroll is.”

“I cannot thank DC Sedgwick enough for all the work he has done, and helping me and my family throughout the process to get this conviction”

Investigating officer Detective Constable Christopher Sedgwick said “The strength that this young woman has shown to report Carroll and work with us during the two-and a half year investigation is nothing short of admirable. She first came to Essex police whilst still a child and has lived every day since reporting in fear he would find her and confront her”

“Her bravery and maturity despite having gone through the most horrible of crimes is admirable in the extreme and shows an enormous strength of character”

“Carroll made all attempts to delay the trial and derail the justice process. These attempts put the victim through even more distress.

“The case built against Carroll including the statements bravely shared by the victim resulted in the jury returning with guilty verdicts in just 90 minutes.

“I would also like to thank the Jury for their patience and tenacity, they were exposed to material during the trial of an abhorrent nature due Carroll’s belligerent nature and refusal to accept facts agreed by his own defence, this should have been a five day trial, and it was clear from the evidence the Jury were as committed as the court was to ensure justice was done.”

“I would like to commend the victim and witnesses for their patience and strength and thank the investigation team and the courts.”

“I hope with this outcome the Victim can begin to rebuild on her life and have the positive future that she deserves.”

Essex Police’s Quest team investigates cases where the victim was a child at the time of the abuse but is now an adult.

Support is there for anyone affected by rape and sexual abuse, and no victim or survivor is alone. Synergy Essex provides specialist support for victims and survivors of rape and sexual abuse of all ages and all genders across Essex, Thurrock and Southend.

Synergy Essex is a partnership of rape and sexual abuse centres in Essex: CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse), SERICC Rape and Sexual Abuse Specialist Service and Southend-on-Sea Rape Crisis (SOS Rape Crisis). Synergy Essex is independent from the police and provides support for victims and survivors throughout their journey.  

Victims and survivors can self-refer, or be referred by a parent, partner, friend or professional and can access specialist emotional support, counselling and advocacy.  For victims and survivors who report to the police, Synergy Essex provides an Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) service, providing support throughout the criminal justice process.  

For more information visit the Synergy Essex website: https://synergyessex.org.uk/