Vile paedophile pretended he couldn’t speak and needed wheelchair in bid to avoid jail

A vile paedophile pretended he couldn't speak and needed a wheelchair in a bid to avoid being jailed for child abuse. John Siddell, 41, went to Elvis Presley nights at a social club and was videoed walking unaided, while faking a severe illness when police began investigating his sexual offences against three boys.

His brother, James Siddell, 44, helped him maintain lies about his health, including by suggesting to psychiatrists he was unfit for trial. John Siddell sexually abused the children, who were under 14, between 2018 and 2021 while he was living in Leicestershire. He was jailed on Tuesday for 15 years plus a two-year extended sentence while his brother was handed two years and nine months in prison. In a fact-finding hearing, a jury determined he had abused the boys.

Judge Keith Raynor, in his sentencing remarks at Leicester Crown Court, said the brothers’ behaviour was "scheming and devious". He said: "They misrepresented John Siddell’s mental and physical abilities, the behaviour of both of them entirely corrupting and undermining the course of justice."

Prosecutor Claudia James told the court the brothers lived a "not-so-covert double life". She said: "The brothers’ busy social lives in part unravelled their deception, as documented by social media, photos taken on their phones and their own home CCTV."

Ms James said when John Siddell appeared physically impaired it "could not be more different" to his being pictured "walking, talking and engaging with others in his local social club".

She added he took selfies in which he was able to smile and pose with his head up and eyes open. In one photo he was drinking a pint of Guinness.

Video footage captured him walking unaided and using his wheelchair like a “trolley” to move household items over a mile in June 2022.

A statement provided by a person who cared for him in hospital in July 2024 said he was "the most verbal non-verbal person I have ever seen", the court heard.

Judge Raynor said Siddell was kept in hospital for two weeks "at the taxpayers’ expense" while an "extremely pressed National Health Service should have been doing their job with other deserving patients".

Siddell convinced psychiatrists he was unfit to take part in a criminal trial during an assessment when his brother spoke on his behalf.

Ms James said John Siddell "presented as wheelchair-bound, refused to open his eyes and was unable to hold his own head up".

Another psychiatrist concluded in May 2024 that there was "no reliable basis" that Siddell was unfit to stand trial.

The court heard that the month before, a police officer saw him sat upright in his wheelchair communicating with James before dramatically changing once arriving at the office for his assessment.

After being charged with perverting the course of justice, the defendants did not attend a plea hearing in July last year, when it was claimed that John Siddell had suffered a seizure and was taken to hospital.

In September, he pleaded guilty to five counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, five counts of sexual assault, one count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and four counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

Both brothers admitted perverting the course of justice between November 2021 and August 2025.

A statement read to court on behalf of the victims, who cannot be identified, said they are still dealing with the effects of the abuse.

The brothers, of Bolam Drive, Ashington, Northumberland, did not attend their sentencing hearing on Tuesday.

Defending John Siddell, counsel Jamie Adams said the defendant is a "very vulnerable and disadvantaged human being" who has been diagnosed with epilepsy, autism and learning disabilities.

Mr Adams added Siddell’s relatives "exaggerated John’s ill-health throughout his life to get some financial benefit".

James Siddell’s barrister, Nicholas Peacock, told the court his client was in a "generationally dysfunctional family who largely survived on the benefits system".

Det Cons Matt Gibson from Leicestershire Police said after sentencing: "It has taken more than four years for the victims and their family to have justice and some sense of closure.

"The lengths John Siddell went to in an attempt to avoid prison is truly shocking – and the fact his brother was also part of this elaborate plan makes it even more disturbing. I’m pleased justice has finally prevailed."