Celal Arslan is in prison after being convicted of 18 counts of sexual offences against four teenage girls in south Liverpool. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison plus five years on extended licence at Liverpool Crown Court on 20 March 2026.

Who Is Celal Arslan?

Celal Arslan is a 52-year-old man from Ditton Drive, Halewood, in Merseyside. He is not a public figure and had no prior public profile before Merseyside Police announced his arrest in July 2025, when he was charged with multiple sexual offences against teenage girls in south Liverpool. He appeared before Liverpool Crown Court in early 2026 and was convicted following a trial in which, as Merseyside Police noted, a jury saw through his denials.

What Did Celal Arslan Do?

Celal Arslan committed a series of serious sexual offences against four teenage girls at an address in south Liverpool. The offences included sexual assault, attempted rape, and rape. In total, he was convicted on 15 counts of sexual assault, two counts of attempted rape, and one count of rape — 18 offences in total against the four victims.

The investigation was launched after the victims came forward to report the crimes. Merseyside Police praised the courage of the four young women for reporting what had happened to them, stating that their bravery was directly responsible for bringing Arslan to justice. The offences are understood to have taken place over a period of time at the same south Liverpool address.

Trial and Conviction

Arslan was charged in July 2025 and stood trial at Liverpool Crown Court. He denied the offences, but the jury returned guilty verdicts across all charges. Merseyside Police noted that the jury “saw through the lies” of Arslan and convicted him of all 18 counts. His conviction followed a police investigation by Merseyside Police’s specialist offences team.

As a result of his conviction, Arslan was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life. This means he is subject to notification requirements, must inform police of his address and any travel plans, and is subject to ongoing supervision for the rest of his life regardless of when he is eventually released.

Sentencing: 20 Years Plus Extended Licence

On 20 March 2026, Celal Arslan was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court to 20 years in custody, plus a further five years on extended licence. This means that even after serving the custodial portion of his sentence, he will remain under licence and subject to recall to prison for an additional five years. The total extended sentence is therefore 25 years.

The sentence reflects the serious and repeated nature of the offending, the age and vulnerability of the victims, and the scale of the crimes committed. Extended sentences of this kind are typically applied where the court considers the offender to pose a significant ongoing risk to the public. In Arslan’s case, the extended licence period ensures that he will remain under close supervision and subject to recall to prison for any breach of licence conditions.

Prisoners serving extended determinate sentences are not automatically released at the halfway point in the same way as standard sentences. They may be eligible to apply to the Parole Board for release after serving two-thirds of the custodial term, but the Parole Board must be satisfied that the risk they pose to the public has sufficiently reduced.

What Police Said

Following sentencing, Merseyside Police issued a statement acknowledging the courage of the four victims. Detective investigators involved in the case stated that the strength and bravery of the girls in coming forward had made the prosecution possible. Police confirmed that Arslan had been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

The case is a reminder of the importance of reporting sexual offences, and the effectiveness of specialist police units in building prosecutions even where defendants deny all wrongdoing. Families affected by crimes of this nature can seek support from specialist organisations; if you need information about a family member who has been remanded or sentenced, you can find guidance on sending money to a prisoner or booking a prison visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Celal Arslan in prison?

Celal Arslan is in prison because he was convicted of 18 sexual offences against four teenage girls in south Liverpool. His convictions include 15 counts of sexual assault, two counts of attempted rape, and rape. He was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on 20 March 2026.

How long is Celal Arslan’s prison sentence?

Celal Arslan received a sentence of 20 years in custody plus five years on extended licence, giving a total extended sentence of 25 years. He is also subject to lifetime registration on the Sex Offenders Register.

Where is Celal Arslan from?

Celal Arslan is from Ditton Drive, Halewood, in Merseyside. He was 52 years old at the time of sentencing in March 2026.

Will Celal Arslan be released early?

Arslan is serving an extended determinate sentence. He is not automatically released at the halfway point. He may apply to the Parole Board for release after serving two-thirds of his custodial sentence, but the Parole Board must be satisfied that he no longer poses a significant risk to the public before granting release. After release, he will remain on extended licence for a further five years.

Is Celal Arslan on the Sex Offenders Register?

Yes. As a result of his convictions, Celal Arslan has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life. This means he is subject to ongoing notification requirements and supervision for the rest of his life, regardless of when he is released from prison.