In 2020, the Offender Database recorded that then 30-year-old David Brown—of Barnby Avenue, Lower Grange, Bradford—was returned to prison for a “vile” series of predatory strikes. The investigation established that Brown is a serial child abuser with a history of possessing indecent images and inciting children to engage in sexual activity. In 2017, he was jailed for four years after attempting to lure a 14-year-old girl from South Wales to meet him for sex, specifically instructing her to wear her school uniform.
The investigation established that upon his release, Brown immediately resumed his predatory behaviour and breached his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO). During a police supervision visit, he was caught attempting to delete a photo gallery from a Samsung phone. Forensic experts later recovered deleted content and discovered that Brown had installed “Teen Chat,” a messaging app for youngsters, and had provided officers with a false password to prevent them from extracting his communications.
DIGITAL STALKING AND JUDICIAL FINDINGS
The court reported that Brown utilized digital platforms to target a girl named “Emily,” who claimed to be 14. The investigation established that Brown steered conversations toward sexual matters, asking if she was a virgin and attempting to solicit topless images. Further police inspections on June 12, 2020, uncovered an unnotified Kindle Fire tablet containing various messaging apps, which Brown used to pose as a 13-year-old boy while grooming another 14-year-old girl in New York.
Judge-led proceedings at Bradford Crown Court concluded in 2020. For his actions in Lower Grange and the nature of the serial child abuse reported, David Brown was sentenced to three years for the SHPO breaches and an additional 12 months for attempting to cause a child to watch a sexual act. Judge Richard Mansell QC also imposed an extended licence period of four years, stating that these measures were “necessary to protect the public,” particularly young and teenage girls, from a dangerous recidivist.
STATUS AND STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS
Based on the judicial orders issued in 2020:
- Legal Status: CONVICTED (Breach of SHPO; Attempting to cause a child to watch a sexual act).
- Custodial Status: SERVING (In 2020, sentenced to 4 years plus a 4-year extended licence).
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are active FOR LIFE.
- SHPO Status: Active WITHOUT LIMIT OF TIME (Imposing permanent prohibitions on unnotified digital devices and unmonitored messaging apps).
- DBS Status: Placed on the Barred List (Indefinite and permanent ban from any role involving children or regulated activity).
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at Bradford Crown Court; investigated by West Yorkshire Police.
- Criminal Record: Serial predator with multiple breaches; Targeted a 14-year-old in South Wales; Posed as a child on “Teen Chat”; Intimidated a witness in a previous rape case; Jailed in 2020.
- Origin: Barnby Avenue, Lower Grange, Bradford, West Yorkshire.
MONITORING AND PUBLIC PROTECTION
Brown is managed as a Category 1 high-risk offender under the statutory requirements of the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) Level 3 in West Yorkshire. Due to the nature of his behaviour—specifically his “serial” history of grooming children across international borders and his active attempts to circumvent police monitoring—he is a priority for the most intensive digital forensic supervision. Authorities reported that the 2020 conviction ensures Brown is permanently flagged on national databases, meaning any attempt to hold a position of trust or interact with children in Bradford or elsewhere will be blocked.
As a registered sex offender for life, his details are permanently logged on the national police database. Authorities state that Brown’s behaviour identifies an individual who prioritised his own perverted gratification over the safety and human rights of children. Any failure by Brown to adhere to his notification requirements, his SHPO, or his strict extended licence conditions upon his eventual release will result in immediate police intervention to ensure the ongoing safety of the public from a man who has repeatedly violated the principles of human decency.
QUESTION – Given that the offender used “Teen Chat” to pose as a 13-year-old boy, do you believe the law should legally mandate that all age-restricted messaging apps must require a “Government ID Upload” to verify the age and identity of every user?
If you or anyone you know has been affected by the individuals highlighted on this website, please report them to the Police on 101 (999 in an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details on reporting a crime. You can also report to Crimestoppers if you wish to remain completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.