DAVID SAVILLE'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN STOKE-ON-TRENT: SEX OFFENSES AND CHARITY FRAUD REVEALED

In a series of disturbing incidents that have rocked the community of Stoke-on-Trent, David Saville, a 25-year-old man from Norton, has been convicted and sentenced for multiple serious crimes, including sexual offenses against minors and a fraudulent scheme involving charity donations.

In October 2015, Saville was sentenced to four and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to sexually abusing a young girl. The court heard that Saville had groomed the girl, a school-aged child, before touching her private parts inappropriately. The police investigation revealed that during his arrest, officers seized his mobile phone, which contained an indecent image of a girl aged between 13 and 15, showing her naked breasts and groin area. Saville admitted to asking the girl for a photograph and claimed that he deleted it once he realized she was too young.

While on bail, Saville purchased a new mobile device, an iPhone, which he used to continue his inappropriate conduct. During a subsequent police interview, investigators found that he had incited a young girl to send him sexually explicit images. The victim, who was 14 at the time, had sent him photographs of herself posed sexually, and Saville responded by sending her a sexual image of himself. The court was told that Saville had explicitly asked her to show him her private parts, further demonstrating his predatory behavior.

Judge Fletcher, presiding over the case at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court, described Saville’s actions as involving a serious element of grooming, emphasizing the gravity of his misconduct. The judge also ordered Saville to be placed on the sex offenders’ register for life and imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order to restrict his future activities.

Earlier in June 2015, Saville had pleaded guilty to causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and to making indecent images of a child. However, he denied charges of sexual assault of a child under 13 and another related offense, leading to a scheduled trial set for November 9 at the same court. During this period, Saville’s bail was extended, and he maintained his innocence on some counts.

Adding to his criminal record, Saville was involved in a fraudulent scheme in 2012, where he pretended to participate in a sponsored bike ride from Blackpool to Stoke-on-Trent, purportedly organized by the Caudwell Children charity. He falsely claimed to have raised funds for a young girl named Ruby Owen, a five-year-old from Kidsgrove who had undergone treatment for a brain tumor in the U.S. Saville managed to collect approximately £237 from around 50 donors, using official sponsorship forms to bolster his deception.

His scheme unraveled when two victims grew suspicious, leading to police intervention. Officers raided his home on Spragg House Lane, Norton, and discovered a list of donors. Saville later confessed to the fraud, citing depression and unemployment as reasons for his actions. The court condemned his behavior as 'despicable,' highlighting the emotional harm caused to those who trusted him.

District Judge David Taylor at North Staffordshire Magistrates’ Court sentenced Saville to a two-year community order, including supervision and 200 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to repay the £237 he had stolen, which was to be divided between the Caudwell Children charity and Help for Heroes. The judge acknowledged Saville’s troubled background, noting that he had been rejected by his parents and raised by his grandfather, who had intended to help him learn to drive but would now use the money to compensate the charities.

These incidents underscore the serious nature of Saville’s crimes and the ongoing concerns about safeguarding and trust within the community of Stoke-on-Trent.