Barry Langford, a film studies professor at Royal Holloway University of London, continued to teach for years without colleagues being aware of his involvement in child sex offences, authorities said following his recent conviction. Langford, 61, was arrested in October 2023 after attempting to arrange the sexual assault of an underage girl in communications with what he believed to be a supplier—a police undercover officer. He pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including arranging the commission of a child sex offence, making an indecent image of a child, and possessing extreme pornography.
The investigation revealed that Langford, who had described himself online as the “London Pervert,” exchanged explicit messages and participated in conversations via encrypted messaging platforms, including group chats with his girlfriend. The pair detailed their sexual fantasies involving a child, with police uncovering a clear intent to meet and abuse an eight-year-old girl. Langford ultimately abandoned the plan, reportedly out of fear of imprisonment.
Despite his arrest and pending charges for nearly three years, Langford’s profile remained visible on Royal Holloway’s website until recently, where he was identified as a practising professional screenwriter. University officials stated they were unaware of the criminal proceedings, as neither Langford nor law enforcement communicated the matter to them. The university's spokesperson condemned the conduct as “utterly abhorrent” and emphasized that it is incompatible with the institution's values. Following media inquiries, references to Langford have since been removed from the university’s online platforms.
Langford’s lawyer told the Old Bailey sentencing hearing that the professor had tendered his resignation quietly on June 29, 2026, the same day he pleaded guilty. Although the prosecution sought a prison sentence, Judge Angela Rafferty KC suspended a two-year prison term for three years, noting the significant impact the case had already had on Langford’s life, health, and personal relationships. The defense highlighted Langford’s serious heart condition and damage to his relationship with his son as mitigating factors. Langford has also engaged with Sex Addicts Anonymous in an effort to address his behavior.
Detective Constable Nikki Jones, who led the investigation as part of the Metropolitan Police’s Child Abuse and Sex Exploitation Unit, underscored the disturbing nature of the case, pointing out the difficulty of detecting offenders hidden within society. The police confirmed that due to Langford's lack of direct contact with children through his employment, there was no obligation to alert the university before the investigation became public. Langford has been issued a ten-year sexual harm prevention order as part of his sentence.
Langford’s girlfriend, who participated in the offences, was sentenced prior to the hearing. The case highlights challenges faced by law enforcement in balancing evidence gathering, legal procedures, and the protection of potential victims amid significant court backlogs.