Former Labour Councillor Receives Suspended Sentence for Online Grooming Offences
A former Labour councillor who sent explicit videos and messages to someone he believed was a 13-year-old schoolgirl has walked free from court with a suspended sentence. Liron Velleman, 31, engaged in sexual conversations with an undercover Metropolitan Police officer posing as a teenage girl across multiple online platforms.
Explicit Communications and Deceptive Identity
The court heard how Velleman used the alias 'Tim Graham 95' to initiate contact with the officer, who was using the name Kaylee, on messaging service Chatib in December 2024. Despite being informed from the beginning that the recipient was 13 years old, Velleman maintained contact that quickly turned sexual in nature.
Prosecutor Edmund Blackman detailed how conversations moved to Snapchat, where Velleman discussed sex acts and requested images of the girl wearing various clothing items including a dressing gown, pyjamas, and underwear. The former councillor sent pictures of his naked torso and a video of his genitals during the exchanges.
Over several days, Velleman continued the inappropriate communications, commenting on the girl's 'cute' appearance when sent a picture of her in school uniform and inquiring about regulation skirt lengths. While staying in a hotel, he sent an image of himself in bed and solicited further pictures from the supposed teenager.
Mr Blackman told the court: "He asked if she wanted to see him take off his boxer shorts, and he sent a short video of an adult male erect penis, presumably himself."
Court Sentencing and Judicial Remarks
At Southwark Crown Court on March 20, 2026, Velleman was handed an eight-month sentence suspended for 15 months after admitting attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and attempting to cause a child aged 13 to 15 to look at an image of sexual activity.
Sentencing Judge James Lofthouse delivered stern remarks, stating: "You know you have no one to blame for the disintegration of your personal and professional life but yourself. This is where your reckless, vile and frankly devious interest in children has led you."
The judge emphasized the potential consequences, noting: "This could have been a real child," and urged Velleman to consider how he would feel if his own child became victim to similar online predation.
Personal and Professional ConsequencesThe court heard that Velleman's wife has left him following the revelations, and he now has only limited supervised contact with his young son. His political career has been destroyed, forcing his resignation as a Labour councillor for the Whetstone ward in Barnet, north London, after his arrest.
Defence counsel Scott Brady KC described how Velleman's life is "in tatters" following the charges, stating: "His life has fallen in upon him." The Labour party remained silent about the reasons for Velleman's mysterious resignation in early 2025 before winning the subsequent by-election to replace him.
Rehabilitation Efforts and Additional Penalties
Mr Brady noted that Velleman contacted the Stop It Now service, which works to prevent child sexual abuse, the day after his arrest and has engaged with treatment services. However, Judge Lofthouse observed that Velleman remains "still in denial to a degree" about his actions.
The judge commented: "You maintain you have no sexual interest in children but that does not accord with the persistent exchanges with someone you believed was 13-years-old."
In addition to the suspended sentence, Velleman received several other penalties:
- 180 hours of community service
- 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement
- Placement on the sex offenders register
- 10-year sexual harm prevention order
- £150 costs and £187 victim surcharge
Velleman, of North Finchley, was supported in court by his parents during the proceedings. Prior to his downfall, he had been an officer in the Jewish Labour Movement and participated in anti-racism group Hope Not Hate.
