Celal Arslan is in prison serving a 20-year sentence after being convicted of 18 sexual offences against four teenage girls in south Liverpool. The 52-year-old from Halewood was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court in March 2026 and will also serve five years on extended licence after completing his custodial term.

Who Is Celal Arslan?

Celal Arslan is a 52-year-old man from Ditton Drive in Halewood, Merseyside. He has no known public profile and was not a public figure before his arrest and prosecution. Arslan was charged with a series of serious sexual offences involving four teenage girls in south Liverpool, and following a jury trial, he was convicted on 18 counts. His case attracted significant attention from Merseyside Police and local media due to the number of victims and the serious nature of the offending.

What Were the Offences?

The offences involved four teenage girls in south Liverpool. Police received reports of serious sexual offences occurring at an address in the south Liverpool area. An investigation was launched and Celal Arslan was identified as the suspect responsible for the abuse.

The nature of the offending was serious and wide-ranging. Arslan was charged with 15 counts of sexual assault, two counts of attempted rape, and one count of rape — a total of 18 separate charges. The offences involved four separate victims, all of whom were teenage girls. The investigation and subsequent court proceedings required the victims to come forward and give evidence, which Merseyside Police described as an act of exceptional strength and bravery.

Arslan denied the charges and the case proceeded to a full jury trial. Prosecutors presented the evidence gathered during the police investigation, and a jury heard the accounts of all four victims.

The Trial

The trial of Celal Arslan took place at Liverpool Crown Court. Arslan pleaded not guilty to all charges, meaning the case was contested and the victims were required to give evidence. Despite his denials, the jury found Arslan guilty on all 18 counts following the trial.

Merseyside Police noted that the strength of the case rested significantly on the courage of the four victims who came forward to report the crimes and who gave evidence during the proceedings. Officers praised the young women for their bravery in speaking out, stating that their decision to report the offences had directly led to Arslan being held accountable for what he had done.

The conviction on all 18 counts represented a comprehensive verdict against Arslan and reflected the totality of the offending he had committed against multiple young women over a period of time.

Sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court

On Friday 20 March 2026, Celal Arslan appeared at Liverpool Crown Court for sentencing. The judge imposed a sentence of 20 years in custody, plus five years on extended licence to be served in the community after his release. This means Arslan will serve at least 20 years in prison before he can be considered for release, and will then remain under strict supervision for a further five years.

In addition to the custodial sentence, Arslan was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life. This means he will be required to notify police of his personal details, including his address, on a regular basis for the rest of his life. The lifetime registration requirement reflects the seriousness with which the courts treat cases of serial sexual offending against children and teenagers.

The total extended sentence of 25 years means Arslan will be in his late seventies, at the earliest, by the time his licence period concludes — assuming he is released at the earliest possible point under the terms of his sentence. For families wanting to understand how extended sentences work, the types of prison sentences guide on Prison Guide provides useful context.

Police Response

Merseyside Police issued a public statement following the sentencing, expressing satisfaction at the outcome and paying tribute to the victims. In a post on social media, officers stated that the strength and bravery of the four teenage girls in coming forward and reporting the crimes had made it possible to secure the conviction and sentence. The force described the jury as having seen through the lies Arslan told during the trial.

The case is an example of a successful prosecution that depended entirely on victims being willing to speak out about serious sexual offences. Merseyside Police used the conviction to encourage other victims of sexual offences to report what has happened to them, emphasising that they will be supported and that the criminal justice system will take their cases seriously.

For anyone affected by a case involving a loved one in custody, information on booking a prison visit and sending money to a prisoner is available on Prison Guide.

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. The offences included 15 counts of sexual assault, two counts of attempted rape and one count of rape. He was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on 20 March 2026 to 20 years in prison plus five years on extended licence.

How long is Celal Arslan’s prison sentence?

Celal Arslan received a sentence of 20 years in custody followed by five years on extended licence. He will be required to serve his custodial term before being considered for release, at which point he will spend a further five years under supervision in the community. He is also on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

How many victims did Celal Arslan have?

Celal Arslan had four victims, all of whom were teenage girls in south Liverpool. He was convicted of a total of 18 sexual offences across the four victims, including 15 counts of sexual assault, two counts of attempted rape and one count of rape. Merseyside Police praised all four victims for their courage in coming forward and giving evidence at trial.

Where was Celal Arslan sentenced?

Celal Arslan was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday 20 March 2026. He is from Ditton Drive in Halewood, Merseyside. The investigation into his offending was conducted by Merseyside Police, who received the initial reports of sexual offences at an address in south Liverpool.

Is Celal Arslan on the Sex Offenders Register?

Yes. Celal Arslan is required to remain on the Sex Offenders Register for life following his conviction. This means he must notify police of his personal details including his address on a regular basis for the rest of his life. The lifetime registration requirement reflects the seriousness of the multiple offences he committed against four teenage girls.