Owen Addleton

Owen Addleton, a 21-year-old man from Shotton in Flintshire, appeared at Mold Crown Court on 3 November 2025, where he pleaded guilty to seven serious child sex offences committed between 2022 and 2024. The charges encompassed sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl on multiple occasions and the creation and possession of indecent photographs and videos of children across various severity categories.

The court heard that Addleton admitted to engaging in sexual activity with the underage victim between 11 February and 19 April 2024, with the offences occurring on six separate instances during this period. Additionally, he incited the 15-year-old girl to send him a naked image, further exploiting her vulnerability. These admissions highlight a pattern of predatory behaviour towards a minor.

• Sexual activity with a child (15-year-old girl) on six occasions between 11 February 2024 and 19 April 2024.
• Inciting a child to engage in sexual activity by requesting a naked image.
• Making an indecent photograph of a child in category C between 1 July 2023 and 12 December 2023.
• Making 85 still images and 25 moving images of indecent photographs of a child in the most serious category A between 1 January 2022 and 24 June 2024.
• Making an indecent photograph of a child in category B between 1 January 2022 and 25 June 2022.
• Making an indecent photograph of a child in category C between 1 January 2022 and 25 February 2022.

His Honour Judge Rhys Rowlands adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report, requested by defending barrister Ember Wong, and scheduled the sentencing hearing for 1 December 2025. The judge emphasised the seriousness of the matter, stating, 'It remains a serious matter,' while noting that Addleton would receive credit for his early guilty pleas, potentially reducing his eventual sentence. Addleton, who has been on remand in prison, appeared via video link from custody.

These offences were investigated by North Wales Police, with the case prosecuted at Mold Crown Court in Flintshire. The guilty pleas mark a significant step in holding Addleton accountable for his actions, which involved the sexual exploitation of a minor and the possession of a 'stash of sick images and videos,' as described in reports from North Wales Live. The full extent of the sentencing remains pending the pre-sentence report.