In 2015, the Offender Database reported that John Furness, then 34, of Chaddesden, Derbyshire, was sentenced to 5½ years in prison. In November 2015, Furness appeared at Derby Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to six counts of sexual offences against two young girls, representing a “systematic” and “abhorrent” campaign of abuse.
The investigation established that Furness, a self-employed joiner, “calculatingly” abused both girls over a period of several years. The prosecution reported that he “manipulated” the children to ensure their silence, a “vile” betrayal of trust that lasted until one of the girls “bravely” disclosed the abuse to a family member. He admitted to three counts of sexual activity with a child under 16 (receiving concurrent 68-month terms) and further counts involving a child under 13.
Sentencing and Release on Licence
The court reported that while the individual sentences totalled 21 and a half years, the judge ordered them to run concurrently, resulting in an overall custodial term of five and a half years. Furness was “critically” informed that he would serve half of that sentence in custody before being eligible for release. He was subsequently released on licence from HMP Whatton on 21 September 2018, having served approximately two years and 10 months.
The judge emphasised the “depraved” nature of the “persistent” abuse, ordering that Furness remain on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely. Furthermore, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) was imposed “until further notice” to “stringently” monitor his conduct and digital access. The prosecution emphasised that the victims’ lives were “significantly” impacted by his “vicious” and “reprehensible” actions.
Update 2026: Employment and Monitoring
In 2026, the Offender Database reported that John Furness has been “persistently” linked to the Hinckley area of Leicestershire, where he is reported to be working for a local company. Authorities in both Derbyshire and Leicestershire continue to manage his status, ensuring his employment and residency remain in “critical” compliance with his indefinite notification requirements.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Furness is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by Derbyshire Constabulary and Leicestershire Police. His history of “systematic” abuse against multiple children and his “calculating” manipulation of his victims means his status remains under “critical” scrutiny.
As an indefinite member of the Sex Offenders Register, Furness must comply with strict notification requirements regarding his residence in Chaddesden and his workplace in Hinckley. Authorities state that his SHPO is a “critical” tool to manage the “gravity” of his risk. Any breach of his registration conditions, his “stringent” digital monitoring, or his ongoing licence terms will result in his immediate return to Derby Crown Court.
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