Adewale Sobogun is in prison after being convicted of 17 historic child sexual abuse offences against two children. The 61-year-old Croydon man was sentenced to 28 years’ imprisonment at Inner London Crown Court on 15 April 2026, following a Metropolitan Police investigation that uncovered decades of abuse carried out in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Who Is Adewale Sobogun?

Anthony Adewale Sobogun, 61, lived at Thistlewood Crescent in Croydon, south London. He was not a public figure prior to his prosecution. The case against him was brought as a result of a victim-led investigation by the Metropolitan Police, in which officers worked to build the trust of the victim-survivors over a significant period before gathering the evidence needed to bring charges. Sobogun was arrested in the early hours of 2 July 2025 and subsequently charged with multiple historic sexual offences against children.

What Were the Offences?

Sobogun was convicted of 17 non-recent sexual offences against two children. The offending took place during the 1990s and early 2000s. The charges included multiple counts of sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 13, as well as the rape of a child. The victims were known to him. Prosecutors established that the abuse was systematic and took place over an extended period. The term “non-recent” or “historic” in this context refers to serious criminal offences that were committed in the past but where the victim has come forward to report the crime at a later date — a process that courts in England and Wales now actively facilitate.

The Metropolitan Police Investigation

The Metropolitan Police took a victim-led approach to the investigation. Officers worked carefully to build the confidence of the victim-survivors, recognising that coming forward to report historic sexual abuse requires courage and can be deeply distressing. Evidence was gathered over time to support the accounts provided by the victims. Sobogun was arrested on 2 July 2025, and following charge, the case proceeded to trial. The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that officers from the Metropolitan Police worked with the CPS throughout the investigative and prosecution process.

Trial and Conviction

Sobogun stood trial and was found guilty of all 17 offences. The jury heard evidence from the victim-survivors and the prosecution case was supported by the investigative material gathered by the Metropolitan Police. His conviction followed a process consistent with how courts handle historic child sexual abuse prosecutions in England and Wales — cases where the absence of contemporary forensic evidence means that witness accounts, supporting testimony, and documentary records often form the backbone of the prosecution case. The verdicts were returned, and Sobogun was convicted on all counts.

The 28-Year Sentence Explained

On 15 April 2026, Sobogun was sentenced to 28 years’ imprisonment at Inner London Crown Court. The length of the sentence reflects the severity and duration of the offending, the number of victims, the young age of the children abused, and the lasting harm caused to the survivors. The sentencing judge would have considered the Sentencing Council’s guidelines for child sexual offences, which direct courts to set sentence lengths based on culpability, harm, and relevant aggravating or mitigating factors. A sentence of 28 years is at the higher end of the range for non-recent offending of this type, reflecting the serious nature of the abuse. For those with family members in custody, information on sending money to a prisoner or arranging a prison visit is available on this site.

Wider Context: Historic Child Abuse Prosecutions in the UK

The conviction of Adewale Sobogun is part of a broader pattern of historic child sexual abuse cases being brought to trial in England and Wales. Improvements in how police handle reports of non-recent offending, combined with greater public awareness and the courage of survivors coming forward, have led to a significant number of prosecutions in recent years. Cases can be brought regardless of how long ago the offending occurred, provided the evidence meets the threshold for prosecution. The criminal justice system in England and Wales does not impose a time limit on the prosecution of serious sexual offences against children. Victims are supported throughout the process by specialist officers and, where appropriate, by independent sexual violence advisers.

If you would like to understand more about how the criminal justice system works in England and Wales, or how to support someone who has been sentenced to custody, please see our guides on the Parole Board and the wider prison system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Adewale Sobogun in prison?

Adewale Sobogun is in prison because he was convicted of 17 historic child sexual abuse offences against two children. The offending took place during the 1990s and early 2000s. He was sentenced to 28 years in prison at Inner London Crown Court on 15 April 2026.

How long is Adewale Sobogun’s prison sentence?

Adewale Sobogun was sentenced to 28 years’ imprisonment. The sentence reflects the severity of the offending, the number of victims, the young ages of the children involved, and the extended period over which the abuse took place.

What offences was Adewale Sobogun convicted of?

Adewale Sobogun was convicted of 17 non-recent sexual offences against two children. These included multiple counts of sexual intercourse with a child under 13 and the rape of a child. The offending is confirmed to have occurred during the 1990s and early 2000s.

How did the Metropolitan Police investigate Adewale Sobogun?

The Metropolitan Police took a victim-led approach to the investigation, working carefully to build the trust of the victim-survivors and gather evidence over time. Sobogun was arrested on 2 July 2025, more than two decades after the offending, following a thorough investigation conducted in partnership with the Crown Prosecution Service.

Can historic child sexual abuse cases be prosecuted in the UK?

Yes. There is no statutory time limit on the prosecution of serious sexual offences against children in England and Wales. Cases can be brought regardless of how long ago the offending occurred, provided there is sufficient evidence to meet the threshold for prosecution. The case of Adewale Sobogun is an example of such a prosecution succeeding decades after the original offending.