Phone sex predator sentenced to four years in prison

PHONE SEX PREDATOR SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS IN PRISON

A man from Thornton, Alan Snell, a 40-year-old cleaner from Harrison Avenue, was sentenced at Preston Crown Court on June 25 to four years in jail for his involvement in terrorizing women across the country through obscene phone calls.

Described as a "pathetic and inadequate" individual who struggled to maintain normal relationships with women, Snell succeeded in evading law enforcement for over two years by using six unregistered mobile phones to make at least 50,000 obscene phone calls to victims nationwide.

His criminal activity was finally halted in February 2002 after a comprehensive nationwide investigation led by Fleetwood CID.

During the sentencing, victims such as Kelly Wilkinson, a 23-year-old hairdresser from Cleveleys, expressed relief and trauma from the ordeal, describing how Snell stalked her for 18 months and caused lasting emotional damage.

Wendy Pulman, a businesswoman from St Annes, also recounted her distress, stating that Snell’s obsessive calls and inappropriate behavior left her severely traumatized.

Snell’s actions have been described as the worst of their kind in Britain, and his capture and conviction have been seen as a significant victory against phone-based sexual harassment.

The court’s decision has been met with relief by victims and the community, emphasizing the importance of law enforcement efforts in apprehending such offenders.