Nicholas Allen jailed for four years after trying to arrange to abuse a child

Nicholas Allen

Nicholas Allen, from Rochdale, has been jailed for four years after he pleaded guilty to arranging the commission of a child sex offence.

Allen, 54, used the internet to arrange the abuse and believed he was speaking to the mother and step mother of an eight-year-old girl.

He then travelled to Leybourne in Kent in the belief that he would have the opportunity to abuse the girl but he had unwittingly made the arrangement with a police officer and was arrested in the village in May.

Allen claimed he had arranged the meeting as part of him was trying to gain enough evidence to be able to report his concerns about child abuse to the police, but he was charged and remanded before the courts.

He was jailed at Maidstone Crown Court on Monday 11 August.

Detective Constable Jon Baker from Kent Police said: “Nicholas Allen worked for many years as a social worker and should know the massive impact that sexual abuse has on children. Despite this he chose to arrange appalling abuse of a child, and travelled to meet in order to put this plan into action.

“Allen tried to claim that his actions were solely to report others and protect a child. Our investigation shows this was merely a ruse in order to try and escape the consequences of his actions.

“I am delighted that we have been able to put a stop to his behaviour and ensure that no child will come to harm from him any time soon.”