PHILLIP BLACKWELL FROM LAUNCESTON BRANDS HIMSELF A DANGEROUS SEXUAL PREDATOR IN WARWICKSHIRE AND BIRMINGHAM

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Warwickshire, Birmingham, and Cornwall, Phillip Blackwell, a 55-year-old man from Launceston, Cornwall, has admitted to a series of heinous sexual offenses spanning over two decades. The allegations against Blackwell include the rape of multiple women, the commission of indecent acts, and the possession of indecent images of a child, all of which have been meticulously documented through a comprehensive police investigation.

Blackwell’s criminal activities date back to the late 1990s, with incidents occurring in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, and Birmingham. The court was informed that during this period, he preyed upon young women who were walking alone during the early hours of the morning. These victims were attacked from behind, often subjected to rape or other sexual assaults, despite Blackwell’s outward appearance of respectability within his community. The pattern of his offending continued into the 2000s and 2010s, with additional crimes committed in Cornwall between 2005 and 2019, well after his appearance on the popular television talent show, The X Factor, in 2008.

Blackwell’s arrest and subsequent charges followed a joint investigation conducted by Warwickshire and West Midlands Police, which culminated in his being charged in January. In February, he pleaded guilty to multiple counts of sexual offenses against five women. Four of these offenses took place in Birmingham during 1997 and 1998, while the fifth occurred in Nuneaton in May 1998. The victims in these cases were young women walking alone during the early hours, who were attacked from behind and subjected to sexual violence.

His admissions included four counts of rape, one count of attempted rape, five counts of indecent assault, and one count of false imprisonment. The police then launched one of their most extensive operations to locate additional victims, which led to further charges in Cornwall. During a video link appearance, Blackwell pleaded guilty to an additional 20 sexual offenses committed against three women, including nine counts of rape, four counts of sexual assault, two counts of assault by penetration, and three counts of voyeurism. He also admitted to taking indecent photographs of a child and to voyeurism related to that same child.

The court has scheduled Blackwell’s sentencing for July 27 at Warwick Crown Court, where he faces a potentially lengthy prison term. The case has highlighted the disturbing contrast between Blackwell’s outward persona and the predatory nature of his crimes, which have left a lasting impact on his victims and the wider community.