Man jailed for child sexual offences

A man has been jailed for 17 years after being found guilty of child sexual offences.

Daniel Cater, aged 30, of Cannock, was found guilty after trial of the rape of a girl under the age of 13, attempting to cause or incite a girl under the age of 13 to engage in a sexual activity, taking an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child and distributing an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child.

He was sentenced at Stafford Crown Court on Monday 14 March 2022. He was also ordered to sign the Sex Offender’s Register for life and to comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

The investigation into Cater began in March 2021, when he was arrested by officers from the force’s Operation Safenet on suspicion of making/possessing/distributing indecent images of children.

His digital devices were seized and analysed, resulting in Carter being further arrested for rape of a girl under the age of 13.

Detectives from Operation Safenet then worked closely with their colleagues in the forces the Child Protection and Exploitation Team to bring Cater before the courts.

Detective Sergeant Sophie Boden, of the force’s Child Protection and Exploitation Team, said: “I would like to thank the victim and their family for showing great strength and courage in providing evidence in this case.

“Cater is truly a dangerous man who has now been brought to justice, and as a result others are now protected from him.

“I am immensely proud of DC Sophie Crooks and DC Jennifer Rawsthorne, who led the investigation. Alongside their colleagues, they have worked tirelessly on this case which has been particularly distressing.”