Youngest Member Of Paedophile Family Facing Prison

A member of a notorious Essex family of paedophiles, who admitted trying to meet a ten year-old boy for sex, was told yesterday that he will probably be joining his father and uncle by having a stretch in prison.

David Michael Lane, 24, of Hubberd Road, Little Canfield, Dunmow was arrested after an investigation by the Metropolitan Police's Child Protection Command linked him to the non-existent boy in south London.

The first-time offender pleaded guilty at Inner London Crown Court (pictured) that on October 8 he arranged or facilitated an act that involved the commission of an offence, namely oral rape, and was remanded in custody for sentencing on January 15, next year.

“It gives me no great pleasure to say this, but given the sentencing guidelines imprisonment is almost inevitable,” announced Judge Roger Chapple, referring to a three-year starting point for such offences.

Lane's lawyer Miss Ann-Marie Talbot told the court: “Mr. Lane's father was convicted and imprisoned for sexual abuse and Mr. Lane's uncle was imprisoned for sexually abusing a child.

“He has been co-operating with the police and certain things have been said that, in my opinion, makes a psychological report necessary.

“Mr. Lane is entitled to credit for his guilty plea and the psychological report may give a background as to why this offending took place.

“A suspended prison sentence with local community support may be a better way of dealing with Mr. Lane rather than locking him up and throwing away the key.

“That is not what Mr. Lane wants and it is not in the best interests for him.”

Judge Chapple told Lane: “Do not read too much into the fact I am adjourning your sentencing for reports. The final sentence may well be a custodial sentence.”