In 2020, the Offender Database reported that Joshua Dealey, then 31, of Buckingham Street, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, was handed a significant prison term. On Thursday, 23 July 2020, Dealey appeared at Aylesbury Crown Court, where he was sentenced to five years and four months’ imprisonment for “reprehensible” sexual offences committed against a child during the COVID-19 “lockdown” period.
The investigation established that between 2 and 3 April 2020, Dealey “calculatingly” engaged in sexual communication with a child online. At the time of these “vicious” acts, he was already on licence for similar previous offences. The prosecution reported that Dealey pleaded guilty to inciting a female child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, causing a child under 13 to watch a sexual act, and two counts of “persistently” breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).
Judicial Findings and Dangerousness
Detective Constable Samuel Summers emphasised that Dealey is a “dangerous and predatory offender” who showed a “sinister” disregard for the law by reoffending so soon after being released from prison. The court reported that the “gravity” of his “systematic” targeting of children necessitated an extended licence period of seven years to follow his custodial term. The judge noted that his “appalling” behaviour during a national crisis demonstrated a “critical” risk to public safety.
The prosecution emphasised that Thames Valley Police remains committed to safeguarding the vulnerable and that the “significant” sentence reflects the “serious” nature of his “reprehensible” conduct. The judge noted that Dealey’s “persistent” non-compliance with his court orders meant he required “stringent” long-term monitoring. His decision to plead guilty on 2 June 2020 spared the victim the “vicious” trauma of a full trial, though the “appalling” harm caused remained a central factor in his sentencing.
Sentence and Statutory Requirements
For his “serious” crimes in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, Joshua Dealey was handed:
- Custodial Sentence: Five years and four months in immediate custody.
- Extended Licence: A seven-year extension period upon release.
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements were imposed for an indefinite period (life).
- SHPO: His Sexual Harm Prevention Order remains in place with “stringent” monitoring of his digital activity.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Dealey is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by Thames Valley Police. His history of “calculating” digital grooming and his “persistent” breaching of court orders while on licence means his status remains under “critical” scrutiny.
As a lifetime member of the Sex Offenders Register, Dealey must comply with strict notification requirements regarding his residence in Aylesbury. Authorities state that his extended sentence is a “critical” tool to manage his “reprehensible” risk to the community. Any further breach of his registration conditions or his SHPO following his eventual release will result in his immediate return to Aylesbury Crown Court.
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