Paedophile who tried to escape justice by faking a disability is jailed – after police found footage of him drinking in the pub

A child abuser who nearly escaped justice by pretending to be severely disabled has finally been jailed after he was caught on his own CCTV cameras.

During psychiatric evaluations, 41-year-old John Siddell acted as if he could not walk, open his eyes or even talk; He attended the talks in a wheelchair, shaking his head to one side only to straighten up when officials left the room.

John colluded with his brother James, 44, to mislead police, courts, prison staff and medical professionals for four years about the seriousness of his medical condition, lie about having a stroke and help ‘prolong the suffering’ of three of his victims.

James claimed on behalf of his brother that he was disabled, mute and incontinent.

But John was caught on camera entering a bar, posing with a pint of Guinness, ‘using his wheelchair as a car’ to move furniture and walking for more than a mile between two properties.

Police officers also uncovered video footage and “selfies” proving they were both lying, while one report revealed John was “mute through malice” rather than being unable to speak.

One doctor described him as ‘the most non-verbal person I have ever seen’.

John Siddell was finally jailed on Tuesday after admitting perverting the course of justice and 15 cases of sexual abuse of children under 13 (one as young as four) between 2018 and 2021 while he lived in Leicestershire.

John Siddell, 41, who was shot in police custody, claimed he could not walk or talk to escape justice.

James Siddell, 44, who lied to police and experts about his brother being mute and disabled

John was stated to be “in a coma” when he was charged in July 2022, but was spotted at the social club the next day

Branding him ‘dangerous’, Judge Keith Raynor sentenced him to 15 years in prison with two years extended license and made him the subject of a 20-year sexual harm prevention order

His brother James was jailed for two years and nine months after admitting perverting the course of justice.

Judge Raynor said both had ‘completely corrupted and undermined the criminal justice process’, taking time and resources from the NHS and ‘genuine, deserving patients’.

He said his crimes consisted of ‘many elements of extremely dishonest and scheming behaviour’, describing an incident in the detention room where John ‘appeared so disabled that he had to crawl up the stairs and minutes later was seen walking free’.

‘He was exaggerating for effect, just as he has been doing throughout this case,’ he said.

The judge said other “pathetic but poignant” evidence was the video of John being arrested in which he was “supposedly in a catatonic state but pulled his shirt down so his navel would not be exposed”.

Judge Raynor said James Siddell ‘did everything in his power to mislead and deceive’.

The brothers, from Ashington in Northumberland, were convicted in absentia at Leicester Crown Court after both refused to leave prison for the trial.

The court heard John’s attempts to deceive continued until the last moment when he claimed he could not attend court in a wheelchair.

The victims first came forward in 2022, and John was charged in July of that year.

During the initial psychiatric evaluations, John was in a wheelchair and mute, and James spoke on his behalf. The court heard this was a “gross misrepresentation” of his situation.

But two different psychiatrists and a judge ruled that he was unfit to defend himself in court. Instead, a trial of the facts occurred when the jury found that he had committed the acts.

The case was adjourned for sentencing and the court considered granting him release or probation (meaning he would not be jailed), but prosecutors and police officers became suspicious.

Before sentencing, another psychiatrist found that he was “malingering” and that “there was no reliable basis for this finding.” [John] He was unfit to enter a plea or stand trial after police seized the CCTV.

James said John’s condition was deteriorating, he spent most of his time in a wheelchair and was incontinent.

He claimed that his brother could not climb stairs. As a number of sexual offenses took place on the upper floors of the properties, James said John could not have committed these offenses as claimed due to his disability.

But footage obtained by police shows John sitting upright in his wheelchair and communicating with James as he approached his lawyer’s office “before changing dramatically when he arrived at the office for his assessment”.

He was stated to be in a ‘coma’ when he was charged in July 2022, but was photographed at the social club the next day.

Video footage from CCTV at his own home showed him collecting mail, while other footage showed him socializing at the local working men’s club, including two Elvis nights, and watching a Newcastle United football match.

Prosecutor Claudia James said: ‘The brothers lived a not-so-secret double life outside the hearings, although they tried to portray John as ‘unfit’ to deceive the courts and professionals.

‘The brothers’ busy social lives partially exposed their deception, as documented by social media, photos taken on their phones and their home security cameras.

‘On psychiatric assessments, John, assisted by James, appeared mute and so physically disabled that he could not even lift his own head.

‘This couldn’t be more different than the one captured by John walking, talking and interacting with others at his local social club.’

In July 2024, he was caught on security cameras walking down an alley to collect mail at his home. Hours later, he was photographed slumped in his chair and being loaded into an ambulance.

The judge said it was ‘a deliberate ruse orchestrated entirely by James and John Siddell’.

He spent two weeks in a rehabilitation unit ‘at taxpayers’ expense’, where he surprised staff with his ‘talkative and joking’ demeanor, with one describing him as ‘the most non-verbal person I’ve ever seen’.

The court heard John sent and received 321 messages during the two weeks he was in hospital.

Evidence suggests that John even took ‘selfies’ at the social club where he could smile and pose.

In police video footage, he could be seen adjusting his clothes and acting independently while in police custody, thinking no one was looking.

Detectives took statements from people who knew the brothers who said they were outside socializing and interacting with other people regularly.

They were both supposed to appear in court in August 2024, but they were unable to appear. John allegedly suffered a seizure and was hospitalized.

An arrest warrant was issued for them and they were sent to the courthouse the next day. Both were arrested.

John later pleaded guilty to all 17 charges but later attempted to withdraw his plea; His request was rejected and he was finally convicted yesterday after refusing to attend court.

Ms James added: ‘Even when held in separate prisons and James therefore lost the ability to assist or encourage John continued to obstruct the proceedings until 22 August 2025, claiming he was unable to use the stairs from the cells to the courtroom.

‘Despite these allegations, CCTV cameras at the court and prison recorded John walking unaided and speaking to custody staff ahead of the hearing.

‘As a final act to delay the inevitable, John unsuccessfully attempted to recant his guilty plea on January 20, 2026.’

In a bid to commute John’s sentence, Jamie Adams said his mother and grandmother – while he was alive – exaggerated the extent of his disabilities ‘to gain some financial benefit’.

He said authorities had ‘questioned the family’s integrity for a very long time’.

Nick Peacock, for James Siddell, said it was a ‘generationally dysfunctional family’ who relied on the welfare system to survive. He said he had ‘undue loyalty’ towards his brother.

The court heard the unnamed victims were deeply affected by the abuse.

One of the victims asked his mother, ‘What is sexual abuse?’ he asked. before telling him what happened.

One said he felt ‘confused and lost’. He said he spent 22 hours a day in his bedroom and had no romantic relationships.

Another said he had a hard time understanding why the case had dragged on for so long.

A family member said ‘the delay was entirely due to John and James’ lies and deceit which prolonged the pain for everyone involved’.

Nicola Potts, of the Crown Prosecution Service, later said: ‘Whilst much of the attention in this case will be on the lies and antics of the Siddell brothers, at the center of this case are three victims of sexual abuse who were robbed of their childhoods by the brutal manipulation of John Sidell.

‘Her cynical lies and the support she received from James were yet another insult to these victims. ‘Our commitment to providing these victims with the justice they deserve is absolute.

‘These defendants thought they could escape justice, but John Siddell was revealed to be a cynical, dishonest predator and James Siddell was complicit in his brother’s criminal activities.

‘They faced the full force of the law for their heinous crimes.’