A Birmingham man who made plans to rape the children of a parent he had been messaging online was arrested and investigated as a result of partnership work between Tarian, the Regional Organised Crime Unit for southern Wales, and West Midlands Police.

In June 2023, 62-year-old Christopher Brand, from Thatchway Gardens, Birmingham, started a conversation with an adult over the internet. He believed the adult had two very young children. Brand ultimately made plans to attend a location outside of Birmingham on a weekend with the intention of raping both children.

Unbeknownst to Brand, the adult he was communicating with was actually a Tarian police officer, who had been monitoring his online activities. Having identified him, Tarian relayed the intelligence to colleagues in West Midlands Police who arrested Brand on June 22 last year.

At Birmingham Crown Court on Tuesday 23 January 2024, Brand was found guilty of two counts of attempting/facilitating the commission of a child sex offence, for which he was sentenced to 11 years and 21 years respectively. Brand was also found guilty of one count of obscene publication, for which he received 12 months. He will serve his sentences concurrently.

Detective Inspector Rich Davies, from Tarian ROCU said: “It is our absolute priority to protect and keep children safe in our communities and I am grateful to our officers and colleagues at West Midlands Police for their meticulous investigation into this appalling case. The successful prosecution and conviction of Christopher Brand, a highly dangerous sexual predator, will ensure that vulnerable children are protected from the risk he poses.

If you have been abused, or think you know someone who is being abused, go to https://www.south-wales.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/caa/child-abuse/child-sexual-exploitation to find out more about reporting. We will always follow up allegations of abuse, no matter when they occurred.”