Former The X Factor contestant Danny Tetley, who used his fame to groom and sexually exploit seven teenage boys, has been released from prison three years early. The 44-year-old was sentenced to nine years in January 2020 after pleading guilty to seven charges of sexual exploitation of a child and two counts of distributing indecent images of children. He has now served just over six years of his custodial term.
Details of the Crimes
Bradford Crown Court heard that Tetley, who reached the semi-finals of the ITV show in 2018, targeted boys aged 14 to 16. He paid them for explicit images and videos, spending “many thousands” of pounds. He even sent photographs of fellow X Factor contestants to groom his victims. One boy was paid a “record fee” of £350 for a single photograph, and Tetley offered up to £1,000 for an explicit video. He told one victim, “the more on show, the better the price.”
Grooming via Social Media
Prosecutor Michael Smith told the court that Tetley used his fame to influence the boys, who initially contacted him on Facebook. Conversations moved to WhatsApp, where Tetley engaged in “highly sexualised chat” and requested indecent images. He groomed one youngster between October 2018 and January 2019, when his “fame was at its height.” The boy, a fan of Tetley, was offered between £400 and £1,000 for pictures.
Sentencing and Parole
Sentencing Tetley, Recorder of Bradford Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC described him as a “despicable creature” who exploited his status to satisfy his “perverted sexual needs.” A pre-sentencing report labelled him “highly predatory and manipulative.” The Ministry of Justice confirmed Tetley’s release, stating: “These were horrific crimes and our thoughts remain with the victims. Offenders whose release is directed by the independent Parole Board are supervised by the Probation Service and are subject to strict conditions including restrictions on their movements and contact with others.”
Conditions of Release
Tetley was on an Extended Determinate Sentence and became eligible for parole after serving two-thirds of his nine-year custodial element. He will be on licence and can be recalled to prison if he breaches conditions or poses an increased risk to the public. The parents of his youngest victim compared him to paedophile Jimmy Savile.
