[2025] UKUT 069 (AAC)

the 14 year old girl was interviewed by the police on 2 May 2001; during this, she “disclosed offences against” DGW;

the 14 year old girl had been introduced to DGW about two months before, by another resident at the residential care unit where they lived; during this time, DGW had contact with the 14 year old girl on most days; he would either telephone her at the unit or sit in his car outside;

shortly after they met, DGW and the 14 year old girl spent the evening, night and following morning at the home of a friend of DGW’s; they had sex three times;

staff at the residential care unit became concerned for the 14 year old girl’s welfare and safety whilst with DGW; they kept a log of DGW’s daily visits to the unit and his contact with the 14 year old girl, including his taking her from the unit in his car;

DGW knew the 14 year old girl’s age;

the 14 year old girl said she had stayed overnight at DGW’s home; she was seen on occasions by police in DGW’s flat;

on 7 March 2001 the 14 year old girl was “recovered” on two occasions from DGW’s home by police; on one of these occasions, she was “worse for wear” through alcohol consumption; the 14 year old girl said she had been given alcohol by DGW, in the company of other “young females”;

on 9 April 2001, staff from the residential care unit told DGW the 14 year old girl’s age and said she did not have permission to go out with him; but DGW continued his contact with the 14 year old girl;

on 17 April 2001 the police child protection team informed DGW by letter that they had concerns regarding his relationship with the 14 year old girl and one other; he was asked to discontinue his associations with the children because of their ages and the fact they were spending significant periods of time away from their carers; DGW appeared to ignore this advice; he continued to visit the unit and the 14 year old girl;

on 10 May 2001 DGW was arrested on suspicion of child abduction and other offences involving the 14 year old girl; in his interview that day, DGW accepted that he had visited the residential care unit on many occasions and spent time with the 14 year old girl; he accepted that he took her away in his car on numerous occasions; he said he was continuing the contact because the 14 year old girl was threatening to harm herself; he denied committing any offences against the 14 year old girl; DGW was subsequently charged with child abduction and released on bail (with conditions); DGW was again interviewed by the police on 14 August 2001;