A man who committed despicable crimes pretended to be disabled to evade prosecution. John Siddell, 41, was caught attending social events where he appeared healthy despite claiming to be severely ill to avoid police investigating his sexual offenses against three boys in Leicester.
His brother, James Siddell, 44, assisted in upholding the false narrative about John’s health, even influencing psychiatrists to believe he was unfit for trial. John sexually abused the underage children from 2018 to 2021, resulting in a 15-year prison sentence for him and a two-year and nine-month sentence for his brother for obstructing justice.
During sentencing, Judge Keith Raynor condemned the brothers’ deceitful actions as manipulative and corrupt. Evidence revealed that the brothers’ active social lives contradicted their claims of ill health, as shown through social media, photos, and CCTV footage from their home.
Prosecutor Claudia James highlighted instances where John appeared physically capable in public, contrary to his alleged disabilities. Despite portraying himself as wheelchair-bound and unresponsive, photos and videos captured him walking unaided and engaging in various activities, undermining his claims of incapacity.
Witnesses testified to John’s deceptive behavior, including maintaining a facade of disability in front of healthcare professionals. Eventually, after a thorough investigation, a jury confirmed his abuse of the children.
The Siddell brothers faced charges of perverting the course of justice, with John later pleading guilty to multiple counts of child sexual assault. Victims, whose identities remain protected, continue to suffer from the trauma caused by the abuse.
Despite their absence at the sentencing hearing, the Siddell brothers were held accountable for their actions. John’s defense cited his vulnerabilities and medical conditions, attributing his behavior to familial influences, while James’ lawyer described their upbringing as challenging within a family reliant on welfare benefits.