Silas Black

Silas Black, a 46-year-old man from Trelawney Avenue in Langley, was sentenced to 15 months in prison after pleading guilty to attempted abduction of a 10-year-old boy at the Tesco supermarket in Slough. The incident occurred on 18 July 2011, when Black, who was intoxicated, targeted the young boy who was waiting on the supermarket's travelator while his mother paid for groceries at the till.

The court at Reading Crown Court heard that Black had a history of child sex offences, with previous convictions in 1986, 1989, and 1993 involving victims aged six, 10, 12, and 13. In one prior case, Black had befriended a boy in a park in Reading before molesting him. Despite this background, Black changed his plea to guilty on the day his trial was scheduled to begin, claiming his actions were motivated by drunkenness and an intent to use the boy to help shoplift goods worth £220 from the store.

During the incident, Black approached the boy and urged him to go with him, offering £5 when the child refused. As the frightened schoolboy tried to move away, Black grabbed his coat and attempted to pull him back. The boy managed to run to his mother, who had witnessed the terrifying event. Security staff later identified Black on CCTV as he tried to leave the store without paying for the items, leading to his apprehension.

Judge John Reddihough remarked during sentencing: 'I don't know what exactly would have happened if you had succeeded in taking the child further than you did. But who knows what would have happened thereafter, bearing in mind your state of intoxication.' The court also learned of the lasting impact on the victim, who now feels concerned that Black might reappear whenever he goes out. In addition to the custodial sentence, Black was made subject to a sexual offences prevention order, prohibiting deliberate contact with any child under 16 upon his release.

This case was reported by the Maidenhead Advertiser on 4 October 2012, highlighting the dangers posed by individuals with prior sexual offence histories in public spaces. Thames Valley Police were involved in the investigation, underscoring their role in protecting vulnerable children in the community.