Carl Chapman

Carl Chapman, a 61-year-old man from Birmingham, has been sentenced to 17 years in prison for historic sexual offences committed against a young girl in the 1990s. The case came to light after the victim, now an adult woman, bravely reported the abuse to West Midlands Police, leading to an investigation that uncovered a pattern of grooming, bribery, and threats spanning several years.

The offences occurred when the victim was between nine and 16 years old. Chapman, who was known to the girl, exploited her vulnerability by bribing her with gifts and money, while also issuing severe threats, including promises to kill her family if she disclosed the abuse. These tactics ensured her silence for decades until she found the courage to come forward. Following her report, officers from West Midlands Police launched a thorough investigation, which resulted in Chapman's arrest and subsequent trial.

At Wolverhampton Crown Court, Chapman was tried in April 2024 and found guilty on 19 counts. These included indecent assault on a girl under 16, inciting a girl under 16 to commit an act of gross indecency, inciting a girl under 14 to commit an act of gross indecency, and inciting a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity. The court heard detailed evidence of the systematic abuse, highlighting the long-term trauma inflicted on the victim. On 8 August 2024, Chapman was sentenced to 17 years' imprisonment and placed on the sex offenders' register for life.

Detective Sergeant Chloe Collins, who led the investigation for West Midlands Police, praised the victim's resilience in a statement: 'I want to commend the courage and bravery of the victim in coming forward and reporting Chapman's deplorable crimes to us. She showed so much bravery not only in reporting but showed her strength throughout the investigation, trial, and the sentencing. We would not have been able to put Chapman behind bars without her courage and I thank her for that.' The sentencing is hoped to provide some closure for the victim and encourage others to report similar offences, no matter how much time has passed.

This case underscores the commitment of West Midlands Police to investigating serious sexual assaults, with dedicated teams available to support victims of both recent and non-recent crimes. The force's involvement was pivotal in bringing Chapman to justice, demonstrating that historic abuses will not be overlooked.