LIAM CANN FROM GOLDHANGER SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN ESSEX

In a case that has shocked the local community of Goldhanger and the wider Essex area, Liam Cann, aged 22, has been handed a significant prison sentence following his conviction on a series of serious sexual offences involving minors. The sentencing took place at Chelmsford Crown Court, where the court heard the full extent of Cann's criminal activities, which spanned several years and involved multiple young victims.

In October 2015, Cann was found guilty of a total of 24 separate charges related to the sexual exploitation of children. These charges included meeting a child after grooming, attempting to commit rape on a child under the age of 13, and engaging in sexual activities with minors. The court also convicted him of inciting children under 13 to participate in sexual acts, attempting to pay for sexual services from a child, and possessing indecent photographs of children. Additional charges included showing indecent images, engaging in sexual acts in front of a child, and making indecent images of minors.

The evidence against Cann was overwhelming, yet he chose to challenge it, forcing his young victims to relive their trauma by attending court proceedings. Despite this, the jury's verdict was unanimous, and Cann was convicted on all counts. The offences took place over an eight-year period, from 2006 to 2014, involving six different boys, some as young as eight years old.

Following his conviction, Cann was remanded into custody and faced sentencing on December 11. Judge John Dodd QC made it clear that for offences of this gravity, a lengthy prison term was inevitable. The judge emphasized that Cann should expect to serve at least two-thirds of his 10-year sentence before being eligible for parole. The court also heard that Cann had admitted to possessing indecent images of children during the trial.

Detective Chief Inspector Martin Pasmore, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, expressed his thoughts on the case, stating, “Despite being faced with overwhelming evidence, Liam Cann chose to test the evidence and put his young victims through the ordeal of attending court and reliving the offences he put them through. Today’s sentence brings the judicial process in this case to a close, but my thoughts are very much with the victims and their families. I hope they can now begin to move forward in a positive light.”

Throughout the trial, Cann’s mother, who had been present daily, was visibly distressed, sobbing as she watched her son leave the court. The case has left a lasting impact on the community of Goldhanger and highlights the importance of vigilance and justice in protecting vulnerable children from exploitation and abuse.