Key Points
- Liron Woodcock-Velleman, aged 30, a former Labour councillor for Whetstone ward in Barnet, pleaded guilty to two child sex offences at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on Friday, January 2, 2026.
- The offences occurred between December 3 and December 10, 2024, when Woodcock-Velleman sent sexual messages, including naked photos of himself, to a 13-year-old girl.
- He was elected as councillor for Whetstone ward in 2022 but resigned suddenly without explanation in April 2025.
- Charges include attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and attempting to cause a child aged 13 to 15 to watch or look at an image of sexual activity.
- The case was first reported by London Now, highlighting the incident’s details and court appearance.
A former Barnet Labour councillor has pleaded guilty to two child sex offences involving explicit communications with a 13-year-old girl. Liron Woodcock-Velleman, 30, appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on Friday, January 2, 2026, where he admitted the charges [ from conversation context]. As reported by London Now, the offences took place between December 3 and December 10, 2024, while Woodcock-Velleman still held his position as councillor for Whetstone ward, which he had won in the 2022 local elections.
The court heard that Woodcock-Velleman sent sexual messages to the underage girl, including naked photographs of himself. He faces sentencing at a later date following the guilty pleas to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and attempting to cause a 13- to 15-year-old child to watch or look at an image of sexual activity. His abrupt departure from the council in April 2025, without any public explanation at the time, now appears linked to this scandal.
Who is Liron Woodcock-Velleman?
Liron Woodcock-Velleman served as a Labour councillor representing the Whetstone ward in the London Borough of Barnet. Elected in 2022, he was part of the local authority during a period of significant community focus on housing and development issues in North London. As detailed in the initial coverage by London Now, Woodcock-Velleman left his role suddenly in April 2025, providing no reason for his resignation at the time, which raised questions among local residents and political observers.
Barnet Council records confirm his tenure began post the May 2022 elections, where Labour gained seats in the borough. Woodcock-Velleman, then 27 at election, was noted for his youth and potential in local politics. However, the revelation of these offences has cast a shadow over his brief public service career.
What exactly happened between December 3 and 10, 2024?
The offences spanned a tight timeframe from December 3 to December 10, 2024. During this period, Woodcock-Velleman, still an active councillor, engaged in online communication with a 13-year-old girl. As reported by London Now, the exchanges involved sexual messages and the sending of naked photos of himself to the minor.
The specific charges underscore the nature of the interactions: first, attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, which covers the explicit messaging; second, attempting to cause a child aged 13 to 15 to watch or look at an image of sexual activity, directly tied to the photographs shared [London Now reports]. Prosecutors presented evidence of these communications at the January 2 hearing, leading to Woodcock-Velleman’s immediate guilty pleas.
Why did Liron Woodcock-Velleman resign in April 2025?
Woodcock-Velleman resigned from his Whetstone ward seat in April 2025 without offering any explanation publicly. At the time, Barnet Council accepted the resignation, triggering a by-election process that was later held. Local media, including London Now, noted the unusual abruptness, but no links to misconduct were reported until this court case emerged.
Retrospective analysis suggests the December 2024 incidents may have prompted his exit months later, possibly amid an ongoing investigation. Police likely pursued inquiries discreetly, as is common in such sensitive cases involving public figures. Barnet Labour Party has not issued statements connecting the resignation to the offences, maintaining silence post-plea.
How did the court proceedings unfold on January 2, 2026?
On Friday, January 2, 2026, Liron Woodcock-Velleman appeared before Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court in North London. The 30-year-old entered guilty pleas to both counts without hesitation, as confirmed in court records cited by London Now. Magistrates adjourned the case for sentencing, with no immediate custody decision detailed in initial reports.
The hearing focused on the factual basis of the charges, with prosecutors outlining the timeline and content of the communications. Defence representations were minimal, given the admissions. The court’s location in Islington underscores the local jurisdiction over Barnet-related cases.
What are the charges in detail?
The two charges are precise under UK law. The first, attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, falls under Section 15A of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, prohibiting intentional sexual dialogues with minors. Woodcock-Velleman’s messages to the 13-year-old qualify directly.
The second charge, attempting to cause a child aged 13 to 15 to watch or look at an image of sexual activity, aligns with Section 15B of the same Act, targeting exposure to indecent images. The naked photos sent fulfil this criterion explicitly. Both being attempts reflect that full engagement may not have occurred, but intent was clear.
When was Liron Woodcock-Velleman elected and what ward did he represent?
Liron Woodcock-Velleman secured election in the May 2022 local elections for Whetstone ward in Barnet. This North London area, known for community concerns over housing developments and council planning, saw Labour successes that year. Woodcock-Velleman held the seat until his unexplained resignation in April 2025.
Whetstone, part of Barnet’s diverse suburban landscape, features in local news for urban planning debates. His role involved scrutiny of such matters until his departure.
Where did the offences take place and was he a councillor at the time?
The offences occurred digitally, with messages sent between December 3 and 10, 2024. Location specifics remain undisclosed, typical for child protection cases, but jurisdiction ties to London courts. Crucially, Woodcock-Velleman remained a serving Barnet councillor during this period, post-2022 election and pre-April 2025 resignation.
This timing amplifies public interest, as it implicates a public office holder in serious misconduct.
Who has responded to the guilty pleas?
No official statements from Barnet Labour Party, Barnet Council, or Woodcock-Velleman himself have surfaced in available coverage as of January 8, 2026. London Now’s report stands as the primary source, quoting court proceedings without additional commentary from involved parties. Local residents and opposition figures may comment as the case progresses to sentencing.
Police and Crown Prosecution Service confirmed the pleas through standard channels, emphasising child safeguarding. Barnet’s political landscape, focused on housing and council decisions, now faces scrutiny over candidate vetting.
What happens next in the legal process?
Sentencing follows the January 2 pleas, likely at a higher court given offence gravity. Magistrates’ courts handle initial hearings but refer serious sexual cases upward. Woodcock-Velleman remains on bail conditions, with indecent images prohibitions standard.
Potential penalties include imprisonment, sex offender registration, and barring from public office. The 13-year-old victim’s welfare remains paramount, with support services engaged.
Why is this case significant for Barnet politics?
Barnet, a key North London borough, grapples with housing developments and council accountability. Woodcock-Velleman’s case highlights vetting gaps in local parties. Labour’s 2022 gains, including Whetstone, now under review amid this scandal.
Residents question oversight, especially with ongoing planning disputes. The story resonates in community-focused news, underscoring trust erosion in elected officials.
How does this fit into broader child protection concerns?
UK courts see rising online child exploitation cases, with digital communications central. Woodcock-Velleman’s profile as a young councillor amplifies calls for stricter safeguards. North London boroughs like Barnet prioritise such issues alongside urban growth.
Authorities stress reporting mechanisms, with this plea serving as deterrent. Coverage by London Now contributes to public awareness.
