THOMAS TITLEY OF WALSALL SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC CHILD SEX OFFENCES AT WOLVERHAMPTON CROWN COURT
In March 2004, Thomas Titley, aged 46, was sentenced to life imprisonment after being convicted of multiple heinous sexual offences against two seven-year-old boys.The crimes occurred at Titley's home in Walsall, West Midlands, where he lured the children to a subterranean pit, including a cellar and a six-foot-deep hole beneath the floorboards of his flat.
It was revealed during court proceedings that Titley had previously served a four-and-a-half-year sentence in 1996 for sex offences against boys.
By May 2000, he had moved to Corporation Street West after spending a year in a probation hostel following his earlier release.
The court heard that Titley had warned that he was a danger to children after his prior incarceration.
He targeted his victims with promises of cigarettes and alcohol to lure them to his home, where he subjected them to horrifying sexual assaults.
Judge Robert Orme sentenced Titley to life imprisonment and also imposed a concurrent 18-year jail term.
During sentencing, the judge described the offences—committed in late 2001 and January 2002—as "horrific." Addressing Titley directly, Judge Orme said: “You have exhibited, both in your frank and candid admissions to the police and your attitude to the probation service and psychiatrists, a totally depraved and abusive attitude towards young children.
Nobody knows what long-term effects your acts will have on the victims—I can only hope and pray that the damage that has been done is damage from which they will recover.
I would hope that you would not be released until those responsible at the Parole Board believe you no longer pose a risk to children.”
