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Paedophile, 85, who raped girl dies eight months into jail sentence

Alan Styles has died aged 85.
Paedophile Alan Styles has died aged 85. (West Midlands Police)

An 85-year-old paedophile who raped a girl and sexually assaulted two others has died, eight months into an 18-year prison sentence.

Alan Styles groomed victims as young as eight years old between 2014 and 2018.

He was caught after one of his victims eventually confided in her mother following a sex education lesson at school.

The police were then alerted, prompting officers to raid his home.

Read more: Woman jailed for stabbing man so hard between the eyes that knife penetrated his brain

They discovered a camera and memory cards containing 665 indecent images of children.

The pictures also revealed that two other girls – both under the age of 12 – had been abused by Styles.

Styles, from Wednesbury in the West Midlands, admitted to 27 offences including rape, sexual assault, taking indecent photos and sexual activity with a child.

The 85-year-old was sentenced to 18 years in prison at Wolverhampton Crown Court in November last year.

Styles was also ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life and given two years' extended licence.

But on Monday, it emerged that he died just eight months into his sentence at HMP Birmingham.

HMP Birmingham where Alan Styles was serving his prison sentence. (Google Maps)
HMP Birmingham where Alan Styles was serving his prison sentence. (Google Maps)

A Prison Service spokesman confirmed that Styles died last Sunday but did not say from what cause.

He said: “HMP Birmingham prisoner Alan Styles died on 18 July. The Prison and Probation Ombudsman has been informed.”

Following the court case last year, police praised the bravery of the victims for coming forward.

Speaking at the time, DC Hannah Osborne, of West Midlands Police, said: "It is due to the bravery of the victims we were able to ensure Styles has been put behind bars for a long time.

"Their courage, and trust in our officers, helped us build up a strong case and ensure he can’t harm any others."

Julia McSorley of the Crown Prosecution Service said: “Alan Styles is a dangerous man who committed grave offences against vulnerable children."

She added: "We hope that, despite the undoubtedly long-lasting effects of this abuse, the victims can get some closure knowing he has been imprisoned and can no longer harm other children."

Earlier this year, a Great Ormond Street Hospital porter was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 18 years after admitting to a string of sexual offences against young boys.

Paul Farrell, 55, admitted a total of 69 offences involving eight victims between 1985 and 2020, when he sexually abused victims as young as five.

In May, Phillip Nutt, who was a member of a dark web chatroom used by paedophiles, was jailed.

The 53-year-old was found to have complained on the site that working from home as a result of COVID restrictions stopped his walks past schools and hindered his access to kids.

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