Former Labour Councillor Admits Child Sex Offences in Court Hearing
A former North London Labour councillor has admitted to sending sexually explicit material to someone he believed was a 13-year-old girl, only to discover he was actually communicating with an undercover police officer. The disturbing case was heard at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court, revealing systematic attempts to exploit a child.
Systematic Grooming Attempts Uncovered
Liron Velleman, 30, from Finchley in North London, used the online alias "Tim Graham 95" to send numerous messages to what he thought was a young girl. According to prosecutor Zahid Hussain, Velleman asked to see the "girl" in her school uniform, inquired about her age, and asked if she was home alone during their communications between December 3 and 10, 2024.
The court heard that Velleman sent a video of his erect penis to the person he believed was a 13-year-old, along with multiple images of himself in various states of undress. Prosecutors detailed how he asked the "girl" to show him her bra and open her dressing gown, with one message stating "I want to see what's underneath."
Position of Trust Abused
What makes this case particularly concerning is that Velleman was serving as a Labour councillor for Barnet at the time of the offences. Prosecutor Zahid Hussain emphasized this point, stating: "At the material time he was a Labour councillor, so he was in a position of trust and responsibility, and he engaged in this criminal conduct."
Velleman had been elected in May 2022 and previously worked for anti-racism organization Hope Not Hate. He resigned from his council position in April 2025 without providing any explanation to constituents or colleagues.
Serious Offences Require Crown Court Sentencing
The prosecution successfully argued that the case should be committed to Crown Court for sentencing due to its severity. District Judge Ashwinder Gill agreed, noting: "Notwithstanding any mitigation that may be put forward... this is a serious offence. It is also an offence that in my mind has aggravating features: persistent communications over a period of time, with somebody who Mr Velleman perceived to be a child."
Prosecutor Hussain highlighted the broader context of such crimes, stating: "Paedophilia and child sexual abuse have reached epidemic proportions and are perpetrated by defendants like the one who sits before you who takes an active sexual interest in children."
Legal Proceedings and Personal Consequences
Velleman pleaded guilty to two charges:
- Attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child
- Attempting to cause a child aged 13 to 15 to look at an image of sexual activity
His solicitor, Ali Hussain, acknowledged substantial mitigation that would be presented at Crown Court, including "the shame and destruction to both his character and his relationships with other people, including, most notably, his wife" - from whom he has since separated.
Police accessed 21 pages of messages after seizing Velleman's phone, revealing the extent of his communications. During the hearing, Velleman wore a dark suit, white shirt, and tie, speaking only to confirm his name and personal details.
Political Connections and Future Proceedings
The case has political dimensions beyond the immediate offences. Velleman was a member of the Jewish Labour Movement and in 2023 signed a letter supporting London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan. He won his council seat during Labour's 2022 local election campaign, which Sir Keir Starmer launched in Barnet alongside the Mayor.
Velleman has been released on bail with strict conditions, including not being in the company of anyone under 18 without adult supervision. He will be sentenced at Harrow Crown Court at a later date, where the court will determine an appropriate punishment for crimes that the prosecution described as requiring a deterrent sentence to show that "the sexual exploitation of children and minors... will not be tolerated."
