Chace Wiseman

A fast-paced and complex investigation by Essex Police's specialist officers led to the safeguarding of a vulnerable child and the imprisonment of Chace Wiseman, an 18-year-old from Witham, for a series of horrific child sexual offences.

The case began on New Year's Eve 2024 when Essex Police received a referral from the National Crime Agency. Officers from the Police Online Investigation Team (POLIT) promptly initiated urgent enquiries. One officer tracked key evidence online that directly linked Wiseman to indecent images of children. Further analysis of the images and videos convinced the team that Wiseman was the perpetrator of the abuse depicted.

On 3 January 2025, officers arrested Wiseman at his home in Colne Chase, Witham. A search of the property yielded seven electronic devices, one of which contained a large quantity of distressing videos and images showing the sexual assault and rape of a child. During his police interview, Wiseman remained silent and refused to answer questions.

The irrefutable evidence gathered by the investigative team prompted the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to authorise charges against Wiseman for 12 offences. These included two counts of rape of a child under the age of 13, assault of a child under 13 by touching, assault of a child under 13 by penetration, three counts of taking indecent photographs of a child (categorised as 6 Category A, 48 Category B, and 75 Category C), three counts of making indecent photographs of a child (44 Category A, 43 Category B, and 93 Category C), possession of 287 prohibited images of a child, and possession of 20 extreme pornography images.

Wiseman appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on 25 March 2025, where he pleaded guilty to all 12 charges. At the sentencing hearing on 29 May 2025, he received an extended sentence of 16 and a half years for the rape offences, comprising 10 and a half years in custody served concurrently, followed by a six-year extended licence period. Concurrent custodial sentences for the remaining offences ranged from three years to six weeks. Additionally, Wiseman was placed on the sex offenders register, subjected to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and a Restraining Order.

Detective Constable Red Leeson, who led the investigation, commented: 'Chace Wiseman committed a series of extremely horrific sexual offences against a vulnerable young victim. This has been a complex investigation carried out by officers from our online Investigation team. The level of his offending has made this case extremely distressing and traumatic for all those involved, and our thoughts are with the victim and their family.' The investigation was conducted by Essex Police, highlighting their commitment to tackling online child sexual exploitation.