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North Wales Live
6 days ago
- North Wales Live
'Depraved' paedophile repeatedly accessed indecent images of children
A sex offender who made indecent pictures of children and installed illegal software was today told by a judge "boredom and loneliness" was no excuse for his "depraved" behaviour. Christopher Daniels, 51, of Alyn Road, Buckley, admitted making the images of children - including a baby girl. The pictures were in the most serious category A as well as categories B and C. Mold Crown Court heard Daniels had been given a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) for ten years in January 2017. Terms prohibited him from file sharing or using anonymity software on any device capable of accessing the internet. You can sign up for all the latest court stories here However, on November 3, 2022 police searched his home and he was arrested on suspicion of making indecent images of children. Officers examined devices and found 147 indecent images in category A, 74 indecent images and one moving film both in category B, and 113 category C indecent images. Images of boys and girls aged about four to 12 were on a Samsung phone with a protected PIN. His laptop had FrostWire peer-to-peer software - in breach of his SHPO. Prosecutor Dafydd Roberts said one image showed someone committing an indecent act on a baby girl. A man committed an intimate act on another girl aged four to six in another image, the court heard. Myles Wilson, defending, said a psychologist found Daniels has "unresolved, personal trauma" from childhood and adulthood. He is a "particularly anxious individual". He doesn't work and feels targeted by locals. He has little support from family or friends and feels isolated, he added. But Mr Wilson suggested Daniels could be rehabilitated. However, the judge His Honour Rhys Rowlands told the defendant: "I'm afraid it's abundantly clear to me you have no interest in complying with the terms of the sexual harm prevention order. "The purpose and terms (of a SHPO) are important tools to ensure there is no repetition of the unnatural and worrying behaviour on your part." The judge said that there had been some sophistication in storing images during his "depraved" behaviour. He added: "Obsessive behaviour born out of boredom and loneliness is understandable (but) I fail to see how this explains let alone excuses your deliberate and repeated accessing images of young children seemingly whilst affected by drink." Nor does it excuse a deliberate breach of a court order - an order which would have been explained to him repeatedly, he said. For making indecent images in category A Daniels was jailed for 12 months with no separate penalties for the category B and C offences. He was also given six months in jail, to run consecutively, for breaching the SHPO, making a total of 18 months imprisonment.
North Wales Live
19-05-2025
- North Wales Live
She murdered the man she claimed to love before telling lie after lie
The family of a "gentle giant" who was stabbed to death have spoken of their devastation after his killer was jailed for life. Joanna Wronska, 51, stabbed her partner Marcin Koziol to death in a drunken "explosion" of anger on October 24, 2024. Today [Monday] she was jailed for life, and will have to serve a minimum term of 15 years and 137 days imprisonment for the brutal killing in their flat in Pentre Gwyn, Wrexham. Mold Crown Court heard both had been drinking when she had fetched a kitchen knife and plunged it into Mr Koziol's chest. She then somewhat "came to her senses" by washing the weapon in a sink and ringing 999. She then had the gall to blamed Mr Koziol for inflicting the fatal wound on himself. You can sign up for all the latest court stories here But the jury last month rejected that account - which a judge today branded "distasteful" - and found her unanimously guilty of murdering the 40-year-old. In a statement at the sentencing hearing today, Mr Koziol's sister Anna Zawada, who lives in Poland, spoke about her brother. She said he was 18 years younger than her and she treated him like a son. He had been a 'cheerful, sensitive, empathetic and loving child'. As he grew up he would always remember birthdays and buy gifts. After leaving school in Poland it hadn't been easy to find work so he moved to the UK in 2004. He got a job and worked hard and diligently, sending back money to their mum in Poland. He was over six foot tall and 'my little brother was not so little anymore," she said. After his murder in October 2023 she realised there would be no more hugs. Anna said Christmas 2023 was the worst. Her devoutly Roman Catholic family sat in silence at the table during what should have been festive celebrations. Marcin's funeral was in the UK but Anna had his name engraved on the gravestone of the middle brother in Poland, which she visits every week. Anna herself developed depression, high blood pressure and insomnia after Marcin's death Also today Marcin's widow Marta, who kept in touch with Marcin during his relationship with Joanna Wronska, read her own statement about the effects of the murder. She said she had been "distraught" and "devastated" to learn in a phone call her husband had died. She posted "Rest in peace" on his Facebook page as "I did not know what (else) to do". As a spouse she was allowed to go to see his body but not to touch it. It was a "horrible, surreal experience," she said. As his widow, she could access his bank account to help arrange his funeral which she never expected to do. Marta had had to bury her baby six months earlier. She had kept in contact with Marcin and found the court case stressful. "He was truly a gentle giant and would never hurt anyone. I can't understand why Marcin has been taken away from me." The judge His Honour Rhys Rowlands told Wronska the murder involved an "explosive, drunken loss of temper on your part in which you stabbed the victim through the chest with a kitchen knife". He added: "Thereafter you washed the knife and having to some extent come to your senses, no doubt regretting what you had just done, you rang the emergency services and remained at the flat until they arrived." But he said she has a drink problem and "can become aggressive and difficult in drink". Earlier, defence counsel Andrew Ford KC said the relationship between Wronska and Mr Koziol "could be good and was often good". Earlier in the case, the court had heard about the killer's earlier life. Wronska, a diminutive and slight figure with dark, shoulder length hair in the dock, already had two (now adult) children when she met a previous partner Januse Zdunek in Pajezcno in central Poland. Wronska and Mr Dzunek travelled some 1,120 miles (1,800km) from Central Poland to live in Wrexham in 2013. There they had two children together, who were later taken into care by social services. But Wronska, who was ten years his senior, became dependent on alcohol and took drugs. She alleged Mr Zdunek was abusive. Their children, now aged ten and eight, were placed in foster care and they split in 2021, the court heard. Tellingly, Mr Zdunek said in a statement that Wronska threatened to kill him with a knife several times. The prosecution described how he said he suddenly felt a sharp pain between his shoulder blades in one incident in July 2021. When Mr Zdunek turned he says he saw Wronska holding a knife. He claimed she said "You're lucky I didn't stab you in the heart". The jury had to decide if this claim was true and whether she stabbed her subsequent partner too, said the prosecution. The court was told during the trial that Marcin Koziol was born in Zabrza in Poland and had been living in the UK since 1982, initially on Merseyside. He was married to Marta Koziol but they had separated some years before. Mr Koziol had had a serious accident in the 2000s. He was crushed by a bale of waste at a recycling plant. He sustained multiple fractures and had surgery. He had spent all his compensation by 2018 on travel, clothes and alcohol. By 2019 Mr Koziol settled in Wrexham. He had mental health issues and was temporarily homeless. He met Wronska in 2022. In September that year he moved into her flat in Pentre Gwyn on Abenbury Road. Mold Crown Court heard their relationship descended into drinking and shoplifting and both were barred from their local convenience store. One night in October 2023 Wronska, who was drunk, lost her temper and stabbed her partner, who weighed almost 18 stone. On the day of the verdict on April 14 Judge Rowlands said: "You have been found guilty by a jury of the offence of murder in which you took away a man's life cruelly and entirely unnecessarily." He added: "I have no doubt that drink is at the root of your problems and it was in a drunken temper that you took a knife to the deceased that evening." After the verdict, the defendant said from the dock: "I'm going to kill myself." She then leaned forward saying she wanted to speak to her solicitor but the judge said she could do that after being taken down to the cells. Speaking following sentencing today, Detective Chief Inspector Eleri Thomas said: 'Joanna Wronska senselessly and needlessly ended Marcin Koziol's life – her partner who she claimed she loved deeply. 'It was a cruel and violent attack on a man who had sought support from her. Wronska then went to great lengths to conceal her crime and deceive the police by claiming Marcin had killed himself, causing untold trauma to his family, some of whom had to endure the ordeal of giving evidence, and then forced to listen to her lies throughout the trial. 'The thorough and diligent work carried out by the investigation team helped the jury see through her lies and secure justice for Marcin's loved ones. I would thank everyone who came forward to assist with the investigation, including the first responders who tried to save his life. 'We will never know what drove Wronska to end Marcin's life, but I hope her conviction and today's result brings some small measure of respite to his family.'
Daily Mirror
14-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Paedo who acted ‘like God' abusing 19 kids in string of care homes dies in jail
John Allen owned a network of care homes in Wales where he abused children and the 83 year old has now died in HMP Bure where he was jailed for life for his depraved crimes A paedophile who "acted like God" abusing children across a string of care homes he owned has died in jail. John Allen, who made millions running multiple community children's homes in Wrexham, in Wales, was sentenced to life behind bars for his depraved crimes. He was finally snared decades after his reign of terror began, and was serving life imprisonment at HMP Bure where he died at the age of 83. A spokesperson for the prison said: "HMP Bure prisoner John Allen died on May 3, 2025. As with all deaths in custody, the Prison and Probation Ombudsman will investigate." Allen was the managing director of Bryn Alyn children's homes for two decades after setting up the first in 1968 when he was just 27. At one point Allen oversaw 11 properties providing care to more than 150 vulnerable children. But that allowed him to abuse victims who were living at the homes. One former resident at the Bryn Alyn children's home said living there "wasn't care, it was like hell". The victim told how Allen had groomed him with gifts before abusing him. He said: "The system really did fail us." Allen was first jailed for six years in 1995 after being found guilty of child abuse. Then in 2014, Allen was sentenced to life in jail for 33 sex offences carried out between 1976 and 1992. The court heard at the time most of the complainants, 18 boys and one girl, came from "dysfunctional, chaotic" backgrounds, reported the Express. Instead of being protected they were taken advantage of by a "powerful man" who was described as acting "like a god" by one traumatised victim. Mold Crown Court heard Allen put the children in a "highly sexualised atmosphere" and kept his victims silenced through fear and isolation. Five years later he was convicted of seven counts of indecent assault and one of a serious sexual offence against children when more victims came forward. Eleanor Laws, prosecuting, described Allen as a "predatory paedophile" who was a "regular and formidable" presence. Ms Laws branded Allen's sexual abuse of boys as "prolific". She told the court: "They were often forgotten. It made them the perfect targets for John Allen. His sexual abuse of these boys was prolific. He took risks to seriously sexually abuse them and he sexually abused them on many, many occasions." Following conviction he was sentenced to another 14-and-a-half years by Judge Rhys Rowlands. The judge told Mold Crown Court Allen's crimes represented "sheer wickedness". The sex beast was originally arrested after an independent investigation was launched by the National Crime Agency (NCA) in 2012. Dubbed Operation Pallial, the probe looks into allegations of historic abuse in the care system. The NSPCC said Allen had conducted a "reign of terror over a dark period of several decades". The charity added that his crimes put him "high up the scale of the most prolific child abusers of recent times".
Scottish Sun
14-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
One of ‘UK's worst paedos' who acted ‘like a God' abusing 19 children in care homes he owned dies in jail
One former resident at the Bryn Alyn children's home said living there 'wasn't care, it was like hell' VILE ABUSER One of 'UK's worst paedos' who acted 'like a God' abusing 19 children in care homes he owned dies in jail Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A HORRIFIC sex offender who "acted like God" abusing children in care homes has died in jail. John Allen, who ran multiple community children's homes in Wrexham, in Wales, was sentenced to life behind bars for his depraved crimes. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 John Allen died in prison aged 83 Credit: © Andrew Price / View Finder Pictures 3 The former children's home owner was sentenced to life in jail Credit: WNS He had only spent 11 years locked up in HMP Bure when he died aged 83, said the prison. A spokesperson said: 'HMP Bure prisoner John Allen died on May 3, 2025. "As with all deaths in custody, the Prison and Probation Ombudsman will investigate.' The twisted paedophile ran Bryn Alyn children's homes for two decades after setting up his first in 1968 when he was just 27. At it's peak, Allen owned 11 properties with more than 150 children. Many were subject to heinous abuse while living at the homes. One former resident at the Bryn Alyn children's home said living there "wasn't care, it was like hell". He told how Allen had groomed him with gifts before abusing him. "The system really did fail us," he added. In 2014 Allen was sentenced to life in jail for 33 sex offences carried out between 1976 and 1992. The court heard at the time most of the complainants came from 'dysfunctional, chaotic' backgrounds. Instead of being protected they were taken advantage of by a "powerful man" who was described "as like a god" by one victim. Mold Crown Court heard Allen put the children in a "highly sexualised atmosphere" and kept his victims silenced through fear and isolation. Five years later he was convicted of seven counts of indecent assault and one of a serious sexual offence against children when more victims came forward. He was sentenced to another 14-and-a-half years by judge Rhys Rowlands. The judge told Mold Crown Court Allen was "sheer wickedness". The monster was originally arrested after an independent investigation was launched by the National Crime Agency (NCA) in 2012. Dubbed Operation Pallial, the investigation looks into allegations of past abuse in the care system. The NSPCC said Allen had conducted a 'reign of terror over a dark period of several decades'. He was put 'high up the scale of the most prolific child abusers of recent times'.
The Irish Sun
14-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
One of ‘UK's worst paedos' who acted ‘like a God' abusing 19 children in care homes he owned dies in jail
A HORRIFIC sex offender who "acted like God" abusing children in care homes has died in jail. John Allen, who ran multiple community children's homes in Wrexham, in Wales, was sentenced to life behind bars for his depraved crimes. 3 John Allen died in prison aged 83 Credit: © Andrew Price / View Finder Pictures 3 The former children's home owner was sentenced to life in jail Credit: WNS He had only spent 11 years locked up in HMP Bure when he died aged 83, said the prison. A spokesperson said: 'HMP Bure prisoner John Allen died on May 3, 2025. "As with all deaths in custody, the Prison and Probation Ombudsman will investigate.' The twisted paedophile ran Bryn Alyn children's homes for two decades after setting up his first in 1968 when he was just 27. Read More At it's peak, Allen owned 11 properties with more than 150 children. Many were subject to heinous abuse while living at the homes. One former resident at the Bryn Alyn children's home said living there "wasn't care, it was like hell". He told how Allen had groomed him with gifts before abusing him. Most read in The Sun "The system really did fail us," he added. In 2014 Allen was sentenced to life in jail for 33 sex offences carried out between 1976 and 1992. The court heard at the time most of the complainants came from 'dysfunctional, chaotic' backgrounds. Instead of being protected they were taken advantage of by a "powerful man" who was described "as like a god" by one victim. Mold Crown Court heard Allen put the children in a "highly sexualised atmosphere" and kept his victims silenced through fear and isolation. Five years later he was convicted of seven counts of indecent assault and one of a serious sexual offence against children when more victims came forward. He was sentenced to another 14-and-a-half years by judge Rhys Rowlands. The judge told Mold Crown Court Allen was "sheer wickedness". The monster was originally arrested after an independent investigation was launched by the National Crime Agency (NCA) in 2012. Dubbed Operation Pallial, the investigation looks into allegations of past abuse in the care system. The NSPCC said Allen had conducted a 'reign of terror over a dark period of several decades'. He was put 'high up the scale of the most prolific child abusers of recent times'. 3 In 2014 Allen was sentenced to life in jail for 33 sex offences carried out between 1976 and 1992 Credit: Andrew Price / View Finder Pictures
