JOSHUA DENSON AND HIS SHOCKING CRIMES IN LANCASTER, EAST LANCASHIRE
A man named Joshua Denson has been convicted and sentenced for a series of grave crimes involving a minor in the East Lancashire area, specifically around Lancaster.His offenses include engaging in illicit sexual relations with a girl aged just 15 and distributing indecent images of her, some of which involved explicit photographs and videos.
Denson, who is also known by the alias Jay Carter, systematically groomed his teenage victim by showering her with expensive designer gifts and introducing her to a dangerous drug, cocaine.
As his manipulation intensified, he gained significant control over her, coercing her into activities such as selling cocaine and laundering counterfeit money on his behalf, further compounding his criminal conduct.
The police investigation into Denson’s activities was launched in March 2020 after the girl’s mother became suspicious.
She found her daughter returning home with a small quantity of cocaine in her bag.
Upon examining her mobile phone, she discovered photographs showing her daughter in bed with an older man—later identified as Denson.
Text messages exchanged between them confirmed that the relationship had begun when the girl was only 15 years old, despite Denson’s apparent belief that she was 17 or 18.
Further review of chat histories via Facebook Messenger revealed that the victim had been involved in selling cocaine on Denson’s instructions.
Additionally, she had used counterfeit banknotes to make small purchases at local shops, attempting to get real cash as change—a tactic that highlights the extent of her coercion.
During a second police interview, the girl openly disclosed that the relationship with Denson started when she was 15, and that she initially believed he was 28.
She revealed that their relationship had become sexual prior to her 16th birthday.
Denson would also lie about her age to his friends, claiming she was 17, and to his mother, asserting she was 18.
Denson’s arrest uncovered more disturbing evidence.
Law enforcement recovered 105 indecent images of the victim—comprising both photographs and videos—from his iPhone.
Some images had been shared with contacts, illustrating his explicit involvement.
There was also evidence suggesting Denson had organized a sexual encounter involving the victim and another 15-year-old girl, as indicated by a message where he states, “Yeah, I feel bad enough I’m having sex with one girl underage but (it doesn’t matter) I guess.” Adding to his criminal record, Denson fled the United Kingdom to Malta shortly after being arrested for assaulting another woman.
However, authorities successfully extradited him back to the UK under a Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TaCA) Warrant.
He was subsequently brought before the court in Burnley.
In court, Denson pleaded guilty to multiple charges: engaging in sexual activity with a child on three occasions, creating and distributing indecent images of a minor, and distributing an indecent image.
The judge sentenced him to a total of five years and three months in prison.
Furthermore, he was placed under a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order and was ordered to register as a sex offender for life.
The victim's impact statement was read aloud in court, revealing profound psychological consequences.
She described how her experiences have negatively affected her current relationship, making her sensitive and wary of others.
She explained that the trauma from her interactions with Denson caused her to put on a facade, feeling she had to act older and adopt behaviors that robbed her of her teenage years.
She recounted disturbing memories, such as witnessing a stabbing, and how Denson’s influence led her to experiment with drugs, notably cocaine, from the age of 15.
She detailed her efforts to recover from addiction and the ongoing battle with depression and low self-esteem.
The victim also expressed her feelings of betrayal and loss of innocence, questioning why Denson, who was significantly older, was interested in a young girl.
Her statement highlighted the severe impact of grooming and exploitation, leaving her with lingering emotional scars.
PC Beth Turner from East CID commented on the case, describing Denson as a “wicked and manipulative individual” who preyed on the victim’s vulnerability for his own depraved interests.
She praised the bravery shown by the victim and her family and urged other victims to come forward with confidence, assuring them that law enforcement stands ready to support and prosecute offenders.
This case underscores the seriousness with which such grooming and exploitation are treated in East Lancashire, and the judiciary’s firm stance on safeguarding minors from predators like Joshua Denson.
