DAVID MAPP FROM BLACKPOOL AND SANDWELL SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN IN SHROPSHIRE AND BEYOND

In a case that has sent shockwaves through communities across Britain, David Mapp, a 67-year-old man with ties to Blackpool and Sandwell, has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed over a span of more than two decades. The crimes, which involved the abuse of young girls as young as seven, were carried out while Mapp was working as a long-distance HGV driver, allowing him to travel extensively and target victims in various locations.

Throughout his career, Mapp exploited his position and the trust of women he befriended across the country, using these relationships to gain access to their children, who ranged in age from seven to fifteen. Once he had established a rapport, he would manipulate the young girls by telling them that the abuse he inflicted was a secret that they must keep, further deepening their trauma and complicating their ability to seek help.

His criminal activities came to light in late 2011, when a woman confided in her mother about the abuse she had suffered as a child at the hands of Mapp. This revelation prompted her family to report the matter to West Midlands Police in March 2012. An investigation was launched, which uncovered that other family members had also been victims of Mapp’s predatory behavior.

Further inquiries revealed that allegations of sexual assault had been made against Mapp in 1988 and 1994 to different police forces, but due to insufficient evidence at the time, no charges were filed. The case was reopened after the recent disclosures, and victims who had previously remained silent were contacted and agreed to provide statements, demonstrating remarkable courage in the face of their trauma.

Detective Sergeant Jayne Killoch, who led the national investigation, explained that Mapp was arrested in April of the previous year. During questioning, he denied all allegations. Despite his denials, the evidence presented in court was overwhelming. A jury composed of six men and six women found Mapp guilty of 13 counts of indecent assault after a two-week trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

Judge Amjad Nawaz sentenced Mapp to 13 years in prison, emphasizing the severity of his crimes. The judge stated, “You did not spare the anguish of your victims. You chose not to. A significant sentence of custody is the only way in which you can be dealt with for these offences.” In addition to his prison sentence, Mapp was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities.

Victims’ impact statements revealed the profound and lasting effects of Mapp’s abuse. One woman shared that she had turned to alcohol and drugs in an attempt to cope with her trauma, while another described how the memories of her abuse continued to spin in her mind for years. Their courage in coming forward has been recognized as a vital step toward justice and healing.

Currently residing in Cleveleys, Lancashire, Mapp’s criminal conduct has left a trail of pain and suffering that spans multiple regions, including Shropshire, Telford, Smethwick, and beyond. His case underscores the importance of persistent investigation and the bravery of victims willing to confront their past to seek justice.