Drug dealer who sexually abused child jailed for 42 months

A drug dealer who sexually abused a 13-year-old girl has been jailed for three and a half years.

In October 2023, a report was made to Northamptonshire Police alleging that Joshua Lloyd, aged 20, was having sex with the child.

Officers attended her home and Lloyd was arrested after being found hiding behind a shower curtain.

An investigation was launched which saw Lloyd charged with having sex with the girl between September and October that year.

While this was ongoing, on May 2, 2024, officers conducted a stop search on Lloyd in Goldings Road, Northampton, under Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

They found he had 11 wraps of heroin and 47 of crack cocaine, along with cash, and he admitted to them that he had the drugs with the intention of selling them.

At a court hearing on July 16 last year, Lloyd admitted two counts of possession with intent to supply a Class A drug in relation to crack cocaine and heroin.

On November 15, he also admitted one count of being an adult engaged in penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 15.

Lloyd, formerly of Fir Tree Walk, Northampton, appeared at Northampton Crown Court on January 7 where he was sentenced to a total of 42 months’ imprisonment – 30 months for the sexual abuse, plus a consecutive 12 months for the possession of the heroin and a concurrent 12 months for the crack cocaine.

He was also made subject to an indefinite registration requirement on the Sex Offenders’ Register, barred from working in regulated activity relating to children, and made subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order designed to guard against further offending once he is released.

Speaking afterwards, Detective Constable Laura Beeby, who investigated Lloyd’s sexual offending, said: “Northamptonshire Police is committed to protecting children from sexual abuse of any form. Joshua Lloyd was 19 when he met this child, and despite knowing her age, he pursued a sexual relationship with her.

“No adult should ever believe it is acceptable to have a sexual relationship with a child, and I’m glad that Lloyd at least admitted his guilt over his criminal actions.

“Once he is released from prison Lloyd will be subject to stringent conditions and will be closely monitored for the rest of his life. If he breaks any of the conditions he has to abide by, he can expect a swift return to prison.”

*This report and custody image have been released with the support of the survivor, who has a legal right to lifelong anonymity.*

If you have been a victim of sexual abuse, whether recent or non-recent, please come forward by calling 101 or via the online reporting tool at www.northants.police.uk. We will believe you.

If you have been a victim of rape or sexual abuse, but are not yet ready to speak to the police, please visit www.nhft.nhs.uk/serenity or call Serenity on 01604 601713.

Serenity provides free, confidential 24/7 support.

You can also visit www.voicenorthants.org or call Voice on 0300 303 1965.

Voice is a support service for anyone living in Northamptonshire, regardless of when, where or how crime happened to you. Services are free, confidential and you don’t have to have reported anything to the police.