A woman jailed for sexually abusing a young girl and plotting with her boyfriend to kidnap a child as a “sex slave” has admitted breaching an order designed to protect children. Danielle Schofield, 40, from Dewsbury, appeared at Leeds Crown Court on Wednesday, November 4, where she pleaded guilty to breaching the order and failing to comply with notification requirements.
Schofield was sentenced in 2021 alongside her then-partner Robert Stanley after officers discovered their disturbing conversations. In August 2019, Stanley and Schofield had a video call in which Schofield sexually abused an eight-year-old girl. Stanley took screenshots of the abuse for his own gratification after encouraging and inciting Schofield.
Investigation and arrest
The National Crime Agency (NCA) launched an investigation in April 2020 after intelligence suggested Stanley had accessed horrific child abuse videos. Officers arrested Stanley, of Feenan Highway, Tilbury, Essex, at Schofield's home in Centenary Square, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, on April 23, 2020.
Forensic examination of Stanley's mobile phone revealed he had sent Schofield a Category B indecent image of a child on May 6, 2019. She was arrested two weeks later. NCA officers uncovered disturbing conversations between the pair from April 19, 2019, to March 31, 2020, in which they discussed child abuse and plotted future abuse of the girl.
Sentencing and order breach
At Bradford Crown Court, Stanley was jailed for four-and-a-half years and Schofield for three years and four months. As part of her sentence, Schofield was made subject to notification requirements and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which prohibited her from having unsupervised contact with children under 16.
At Leeds Crown Court, the court heard the breach of the order took place between March and September 2024, and the breach of notification requirements occurred in July this year. Schofield had been working with “Helping Hands,” which supports adults of all ages to live independently. Kara Firth, for Schofield, told the court: “She didn't know they were under 18 and is not sure if there was a DBS check.”
Next steps
His Honour Judge Crowson adjourned the hearing for sentencing on December 9. He told the court: “There is potential for her not to understand that.” Addressing Schofield, the judge said: “You pleaded guilty and your lawyers have helped the court understand what you have been doing. That is probably the basis of what you will be sentenced. The Prosecution hasn't had chance to look at it yet... They may say they are happy to for you to be sentenced on the basis of what is in the document.” The Probation Service will prepare a report to assist the court. Schofield will be sentenced on December 9.
