Police in Essex secure 16-year sentence for dangerous child abuser
Jaydan Russell be subject to indefinite notification requirements, a restraining order, a sexual harm prevention order and remain barred from working with children for life
Last updated 9th Sep 2025
“I was glad the police were supporting me. I felt like when I spoke to the police, I could tell them anything without worrying… Now it’s over I feel so relieved. I feel happy I’ve done everything I can to show people what he’s done.”
Those are the words of a young child.
She is a survivor of a dangerous sexual predator who is facing an extended prison sentence following an investigation led by our Child Abuse Investigation Team.
Her powerful victim personal statement was read to a judge at the sentencing hearing of Jaydan Russell, 26, of Mundon Road, Braintree.
At the same hearing, Russell was told he is a dangerous offender, who will serve a 12-year prison sentence, with an additional six years on extended licence.
He’ll be subject to indefinite notification requirements, a restraining order, a sexual harm prevention order and remain barred from working with children for life.
The sentence follows a months-long investigation, which found he engaged in incidents of sexual abuse, communications and voyeurism against a girl aged under 13.
He resorted to coercion, threats and violence in his continued attempts to gain sexual gratification from his victim.
He would regularly delete data from his victim’s phone to conceal his activity.
In October last year, a report was made to us and our officers swiftly took action to progress an investigation.
Russell was initially arrested on 19 October 2024.
He refused to answer questions or provide access to his devices.
While on bail, the officer in the case DC Chloe Gregory worked for months to build a case against him to get the case to the point of charge.
This evidence gathering revealed the extent of Russell’s manipulation, grooming and threats directed towards the girl.
He told her she would never see her parents again if she were to tell anyone what had happened to her.
On 30 March this year, Harlow CAIT worked through the night to present a file to the Crown Prosecution Service, which authorised multiple charges.
Russell went on to admit:
Four counts of rape of a child under the age of 13.
Two counts of assault by penetration of a child under the age of 13.
One count of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.
One count of engaging in sexual communication with a child.
One count of voyeurism.
He was sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday 5 September.
Acting Detective Sergeant Charles O’Mahony, of Harlow CAIT, said:
“The charges would not have been possible without the bravery of the survivor coming forward, not only telling those close to her what had happened but also later disclosing this abuse to detectives.
“At court, Russell pleaded guilty after hearing the weight of evidence against him.
“It was the first time there was any sign of him acknowledging his crimes or taking any responsibility for his depraved acts.
“During his sentencing hearing, the court was told he had minimised his offending, making excuses for his behaviour to professionals while on remand in prison.
“He was deemed to be a dangerous offender and an extended sentence was rightly passed.
“He’ll remain subject to strict conditions after his release.
“While he will now suffer the consequences of his actions, the sentence will never come close to the lifelong impact his offending has had on the survivor in this case and her family.
“The extent of his deflection, grooming and manipulation is almost as sickening as the abuse he perpetrated against a defenceless child.
“From the outset of our investigation, and from the moment this matter was reported to us, our focus has been on safeguarding this young girl and gathering the best possible evidence to ensure Russell can never harm another child again.”
Harlow CAIT were supported in this investigation by teams across the force, including our dedicated Online Investigation Team, Braintree CID, Grays Adult Sexual Abuse Investigation Team and Braintree and Uttlesford Local Policing Team.