Former X Factor contestant and convicted child sex offender Danny Tetley has been freed from prison early, six years after receiving a sentence for grooming seven boys.
Tetley, 44, made it to the semi-finals of the ITV talent contest in 2018, having previously appeared on Pop Idol in 2001, but was jailed for nine years in January 2020.
During the case, the court was told he exploited his “fame and notoriety” to target boys aged between 14 and 16.
The parents of his youngest victim likened Tetley to notorious paedophile Jimmy Savile.
Bradford Crown Court previously heard that Tetley contacted and groomed the boys via WhatsApp, paying them thousands of pounds for indecent photographs and videos.
In one instance, he offered a 14-year-old £1,000 for an explicit image, while another boy of the same age received £200 for indecent pictures.
His youngest victim, whose mother said he was left feeling “ashamed” and “suicidal” after the abuse, was paid £700 through a PayPal account by the man she described as a “monster.”
When his parents asked about the unexpected money, the boy claimed he had earned it through gaming.
Danny Tetley, who reached the semi-final of the X Factor in 2018, was sentenced to nine years in prison in 2020 after being convicted of child sexual offences
It is understood he was released earlier this year after serving two thirds of his sentence
Two boys were also persuaded to perform sexual acts with one another on camera in exchange for more money, the court heard.
One of the boys later said they had ‘let him get away with it’ because of the amount of money they were offered.
Tetley ‘spent likely many thousands of pounds’ persuading the boys to send explicit material, telling one victim: ‘Trust me, money ain’t a prob as long as they are good.’
Before his stint on the singing contest Tetley had worked on the club and cruise ship circuit.
But after appearing on television he offered victims access to exclusive events and suggested to one boy he could get him an agent to help boost his acting career.
Some victims met Tetley at parties while others were fans of his X Factor performances.
The singer also sent boys indecent images of himself and other victims, alongside adult pornography.
His crimes were only discovered after a victim’s parent checked their son’s phone and found graphic messages.
The singer, who previously worked on the club and cruise ship circuit, pictured with X Factor judge Simon Cowell
Tetley admitted seven counts of causing the sexual exploitation of boys and two offences related to distributing indecent images.
But it is understood he was released earlier this year after serving two thirds of his nine-year sentence.
Speaking after his release, bosses at the Ministry of Justice said Tetley’s crimes were ‘horrific’ and said there would be restrictions on his movements.
A Prison Service spokesman said: ‘These were horrific crimes and our thoughts remain with the victims.
‘Offenders whose release is directed by the independent Parole Board are supervised by the Probation Service and are subject to strict conditions including restrictions on their movements and contact with others. They can be recalled to prison for breaching these conditions or exhibiting behaviour suggesting they pose an increased risk to the public.’
One of Tetley’s victims said during his trial that he struggled to trust adults and thought they were only nice to him if they wanted something.
He said at the time: ‘Adults don’t understand how life-changing these events can be.’
Prosecutor Michael Smith told the court Tetley was ‘relatively high profile’ and a regular on national television, including appearances on The X Factor, Benidorm and Pop Idol.
He said Tetley’s public profile formed ‘part of the grooming process’.
The court heard one victim was an X Factor fan who sent Tetley indecent images while the singer appeared on the programme.
Tetley sent the teenager videos of members of the show’s cast.
Another boy was told: ‘It’s because you’re so sound and you are one of the lads. You’ve got a friend for life in me, mate, I will always help you out.’
The parents of Tetley’s youngest victim compared him to the notorious paedophile Jimmy Savile
Sentencing Tetley, Judge Durham Hall said: ‘Those in the public eye have a deep responsibility which many you see exercise magnificently, with additional work for society.
‘Many will see you, I’m afraid, for what you are, to some extent: a despicable creature with very few redeeming features.’
He branded the singer’s crimes ‘blatant and disgusting’, adding: ‘The level to which you sank, Mr Tetley, was unbelievable.’
Tetley, of St Enoch’s Road, Bradford, was jailed for nine years and ordered to serve a further eight years on licence after his release.
During the police investigation, Tetley claimed he had been ‘set up’ and alleged people were targeting him because he was famous.
But Detective Inspector Ian Cottrell, of West Yorkshire Police, said investigators had proved he had been actively grooming children through social media.
He said: ‘Tetley claimed he had been set up and that people were out to get him because he was famous, but our investigation was able to prove that he was actively grooming children through social media.’
In court, Tetley also blamed a drink and drug problem.
The singer was released from prison after serving two thirds of the custodial part of his sentence and remains subject to licence conditions.
