DAGENHAM MAN DANIEL ARCHBOLD SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEXUAL OFFENCES AND INDECENT IMAGES

In a significant case that has shocked the community of Dagenham, Daniel Archbold, a 33-year-old man, has been handed a lengthy prison sentence after being convicted of a series of heinous sexual offences involving children. The sentencing took place at Snaresbrook Crown Court on May 1, following a trial that concluded in March, where the defendant was found guilty on multiple counts.

Archbold’s criminal record includes a total of 32 sexual offences, many of which involved the exploitation of minors. During the trial, he initially pleaded guilty to nine counts of sexual assault against children and 21 counts of possessing indecent images of children. However, he maintained his innocence on two counts of rape, which he contested. The court ultimately found him guilty of those two charges on March 12, solidifying his criminal culpability.

Following his conviction, Archbold was deemed a dangerous offender, a classification that underscores the severity of his crimes and the risk he poses to the public. In addition to the 15-year prison term, he will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order, which aims to restrict his access to potential victims and prevent further offending. Furthermore, he will be required to register as a sex offender indefinitely, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions.

Initially sentenced to 16 years, his term was reduced to 15 years due to his guilty pleas made at the start of the trial. The court also imposed an extended sentence, meaning he will be under supervision for an additional year on licence after his release, to mitigate the risk of reoffending.

The investigation into Archbold’s activities began in April 2018, when authorities received a tip-off from a third party indicating that indecent images and videos of children were stored on his hard drive. Police responded swiftly, seizing the device and other technical equipment during their visit to his residence. Archbold was arrested and released on bail while the investigation continued. As officers delved deeper into his digital footprint, they uncovered a substantial amount of evidence linking him to the offences, which led to his rearrest.

Subsequently, a sexual risk order was issued against him to prevent further offending. Despite this, Archbold breached the order twice, which resulted in him serving an eight-week prison sentence. His troubles did not end there; in September of the previous year, just before he was due to be released, he was charged again and remanded into custody, highlighting the ongoing concerns about his behaviour and the threat he poses to the community of Dagenham.