Celal Arslan, a 52-year-old man from Halewood in Merseyside, is in prison after being convicted of 18 serious sexual offences against four teenage girls in south Liverpool. Celal Arslan was jailed for 20 years plus a five-year extended licence period on 20 March 2026 at Liverpool Crown Court, following a trial in which a jury found him guilty of the offences.
Who is Celal Arslan?
Celal Arslan, aged 52, lived at an address in Ditton Drive, Halewood, in the Knowsley area of Merseyside at the time of his arrest. He was charged in July 2025 by Merseyside Police following an investigation into reports of serious sexual offences against multiple teenage girls at an address in south Liverpool. The offences were reported to have taken place over a period from 2022 to 2024.
Arslan stood trial at Liverpool Crown Court, where he denied all charges. Following a full trial, a jury convicted him of the offences and he was brought before the court for sentencing on 20 March 2026.
What Were the Offences?
Celal Arslan was found guilty of 18 sexual offences against four teenage girls in south Liverpool. The offences included 15 counts of sexual assault, two counts of attempted rape, and one count of rape. The victims were teenage girls who were subjected to serious sexual violence at an address in the south Liverpool area during the period of the offending between 2022 and 2024.
The nature and number of offences, combined with the fact that there were four separate victims, reflected what Merseyside Police described as serious and sustained predatory behaviour. The court heard that the offending had a significant and lasting impact on each of the young women involved. As is standard in such cases, the identities of the victims are protected by automatic reporting restrictions.
The Merseyside Police Investigation
Merseyside Police launched an investigation after receiving reports of serious sexual offences at an address in south Liverpool. Officers from the force’s specialist units gathered evidence and built a case against Arslan, who was formally charged on 14 July 2025 with multiple counts of sexual assault and rape. The charging decision was taken following a thorough investigation involving forensic evidence and victim testimony.
The case was referred to Liverpool Crown Court for trial given the serious nature of the allegations. Police confirmed that Arslan appeared at court in July 2025 following the charge, with the trial proceeding to verdict in early 2026. Merseyside Police subsequently released a statement confirming the sentencing on 20 March 2026 and commending the courage of the victims in coming forward.
Trial and Conviction
Celal Arslan denied all charges and contested the case at trial. The jury at Liverpool Crown Court found him guilty of all 18 charges: 15 counts of sexual assault, two counts of attempted rape, and one count of rape. The guilty verdict was returned following the full hearing of evidence, including testimony from the four victims.
The conviction means Arslan has been found beyond reasonable doubt to have committed serious sexual offences against multiple young women over a period of approximately two years. In addition to his custodial sentence, he was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life following conviction.
What Sentence Did He Receive?
Celal Arslan was sentenced to 20 years in prison plus a five-year extended licence period at Liverpool Crown Court on 20 March 2026. This extended determinate sentence reflects the seriousness of the offending and the risk Arslan is assessed to pose to the public. He will be required to complete the custodial portion of the sentence before being considered for release on licence, and will then be subject to strict supervision conditions during the licence period.
He was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life, meaning he will be subject to ongoing registration and reporting obligations regardless of when he is eventually released from prison. If you need information about the parole process and how prisoners serving long sentences may be considered for release, the Parole Board UK guide explains how this works in England and Wales. Family members of those in custody can also learn how to book a prison visit or find out about sending money to a prisoner through the official prison banking service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Celal Arslan in prison?
Celal Arslan is in prison because he was convicted of 18 serious sexual offences against four teenage girls in south Liverpool. The offences took place between 2022 and 2024 and included sexual assault, attempted rape, and rape. He was jailed for 20 years plus a five-year extended licence at Liverpool Crown Court on 20 March 2026.
How long is Celal Arslan’s sentence?
Celal Arslan received a sentence of 20 years in prison followed by five years on extended licence. This is an extended determinate sentence, reflecting the serious risk he is assessed to pose to the public. He will need to serve the full custodial term before being considered for release by the Parole Board.
How many victims did Celal Arslan have?
Celal Arslan was convicted of offences against four separate victims, all of whom were teenage girls in south Liverpool. In total, he was found guilty of 18 sexual offences including 15 counts of sexual assault, two counts of attempted rape, and one count of rape. All four victims are protected by automatic reporting restrictions.
Where did Celal Arslan live?
Celal Arslan lived at an address in Ditton Drive, Halewood, in the Knowsley borough of Merseyside, at the time of his arrest and trial. The offences he was convicted of took place at an address in south Liverpool between 2022 and 2024.
Is Celal Arslan on the Sex Offenders Register?
Yes, Celal Arslan was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life following his conviction. This means he is subject to ongoing registration and reporting requirements for the rest of his life, regardless of when he is eventually released from prison. He must notify police of his personal details and any changes to them in accordance with the requirements of the register.
