Man convicted of multiple child sex offences - Great Yarmouth

A Great Yarmouth man has today (Thursday 14 November) been found guilty of raping a young child over a period of years.

Daniel Russell, 38, of Tolhouse Street, was convicted by a jury at Norwich Crown Court following a trial lasting 8 days.

He was found guilty of two counts of raping a child under the age of 13. He was also found guilty of causing a child to watch a sexual act and of making indecent images of children.

Russell first came to the attention of police in January 2021 when he was arrested on suspicion of possessing indecent images. These indecent images were not of the victim in this case - but while that investigation was ongoing, officers became aware of the abuse of the young child and Russell was subsequently charged with rape.

During the trial the court heard how the offences took place between 2016 and 2021 on train journeys when Russell would take the child into the toilets and show her pornography before assaulting her.

Russell was remanded into custody and will be sentenced at Norwich Crown Court on 24 January 2025.

Speaking following conviction, Detective Sergeant Mark Carrier from Norfolk Constabulary's Child Abuse Investigation Unit said: “We will always work tirelessly to support victims of sexual abuse. The victim in this case is one of the most vulnerable in society and had to endure things a child should never have to go through.  I hope she can in time re-build her life and move forward knowing she is now safe from Russell".

Detective Constable Garry Hoadley from Norfolk Constabulary's Safeguarding Children Online Team led the investigation into the indecent images on Russell’s device. He said: “This type of offending is not victimless.  Each image represents a child who has been exploited and harmed in ways that will impact them for a lifetime.  This conviction serves as a reminder that the exploitation of children, in any manner, will not be tolerated in our community.”

To report a sexual offence, call 999 in an emergency. 101 is the non-emergency police number to report a crime or you can access help and support services here.