GAVIN SLOAN MINSTERLEY PAEDOPHILE SENTENCED TO 21 YEARS FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE IN SHREWSBURY

In May 2022, a deeply disturbing case involving Gavin Sloan, a 46-year-old man from Minsterley, came to a close as he was sentenced to a lengthy prison term for a series of heinous sexual offenses against children. The sentencing took place at Shrewsbury Crown Court, where the court heard a comprehensive account of Sloan’s extensive and depraved criminal activities.

Judge Peter Barrie described Sloan as a 'dangerous and predatory paedophile,' emphasizing the severity and nature of his crimes. The judge stated, 'The nature of your offending makes it clear you are a dangerous and predatory paedophile. You know no boundaries.' Sloan’s offenses included both in-person abuse and online exploitation, highlighting a pattern of predatory behavior that spanned over several years.

It was revealed during the court proceedings that Sloan had been aided in his criminal endeavors by two women, both of whom also committed serious sexual offenses against children. The first accomplice, Louise Smith, aged 42 and formerly residing in Cheshire, and the second, Jenna Ball, aged 37 from Sutton Road, Kidderminster, played active roles in facilitating Sloan’s abuse.

Prosecutor Gary Venturi detailed the shocking extent of Sloan’s crimes, including the rape of a child under five years old, an act that Sloan had recorded on video. The court was informed that Sloan had also filmed himself engaging in various forms of sexual abuse on young children, with these offenses occurring over an eight-year period starting in 2013.

Sloan and Smith, who met through the dating app 'Plenty of Fish,' had collaborated in filming their abuse of children. Smith was also noted to have committed abuse independently of Sloan at times. The court heard that Ball had encouraged a young boy to expose himself, recording the incident on her phone and providing the footage to Sloan. These actions were reportedly driven by messages and requests from Sloan himself.

Further evidence presented in court indicated that Sloan had received images of abuse from an unidentified offender and possessed hundreds of highly disturbing images himself. His use of social media platforms, particularly Snapchat, was also highlighted, as he actively encouraged young girls to send him videos and pictures of a sexual nature.

When police raided Sloan’s residence, he was found to have taken measures to conceal evidence. Officers discovered SD cards hidden inside a plastic tube taped underneath a table, containing numerous images of abuse. Sloan was also reluctant to disclose the whereabouts of his mobile phones, which were later recovered from behind a sofa. During the raid, Sloan made efforts to hinder the investigation, refusing to cooperate fully with law enforcement.

All three defendants—Sloan, Smith, and Ball—pleaded guilty to their respective charges. Sloan admitted to 27 charges and was sentenced to 21 years in prison, with an additional five years on license. Smith admitted to 12 charges and received an 11-year sentence, along with three years on license. Ball, who pleaded guilty to three charges, was given a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years. Her sentence also included a requirement to complete 60 hours of rehabilitation work and 240 hours of unpaid community service.

Legal representatives for all three individuals acknowledged their clients’ guilty pleas, but the court’s focus remained on the gravity of their crimes and the need for justice for the victims involved in this disturbing case from Minsterley and beyond.