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Surajit Ghosh, aged 27, appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court for sentencing today (Thursday 20 June).

Police had received a report on the evening of Saturday, May 272023 of an unknown man touching an 8-year-old girl’s bottom in Tesco on Crasswell Street, before running off down another aisle. The man was then chased through the supermarket by a family member of the girl, before the man ran out of the store. Police attended and conducted an area search, before making enquiries with witnesses at the supermarket and reviewing CCTV.

Ghosh was quickly identified to be the man responsible, and officers turned up at his home address in Drummond Road that night to arrest him. He was found inside hiding behind a sofa, before he became aggressive – threatening to stab officers and resisting arrest. He also dug his fingernails into a police officer’s hand, drawing blood.

Following enquiries, Ghosh was charged with sexual assault of a girl under 13 by touching and assault of an emergency worker, both of which he pleaded guilty to at Portsmouth Crown Court on October 2 2023. On 15 April this year, he also pleaded guilty to a separate charge of perverting the course of justice. Ghosh had contacted the mother of the girl he sexually assaulted and asked her to drop the charges against him - he did this despite having already pleaded guilty to the sexual assault.

Appearing at Portsmouth Crown Court today, he was jailed for 18 months. He was also ordered to sign on to the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years, handed a 10 year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and a 10 year Restraining Order.

DC Heather Milsom said: “This was a shocking series of offences which left a very young girl upset and her family horrified, and saw police officers subjected to violence and extreme threats. To add further insult, Ghosh used Facebook to contact the girl’s mother in an attempt to get proceedings against him dropped, despite having already admitted his awful crimes in court. I want to commend the girl for her bravery in speaking to police about what was undoubtedly a very worrying incident for her, and also want to thank her family. I hope the wider public can feel reassured that Ghosh was quickly identified by police and arrested for his actions, and is now behind bars.”

Description

A child sex offender has been jailed for eight years after he was found guilty of his crimes in court.

Andrew Lucas, aged 56, of Shareshill, south Staffordshire, abused the survivor a number of years ago before the survivor bravely came forward and told people what happened.

We brought Lucas in for questioning, where he denied all of the reports.

Specialist officers worked to support the survivor as much as possible whilst evidence to support the case was gathered, leading to a number of charges being secured against Lucas.

In an earlier hearing at Stafford Crown Court, a jury found Lucas guilty of ten non-recent child sexual offences, including:

• Six counts of indecent assault of a boy
• Four counts of gross indecency with a boy

At Birmingham Crown Court on Friday (14 June), Lucas was sentenced to eight years behind bars.

Description

A CONVICTED sex offender who was ‘unwilling to comply with court orders’ has been jailed for failing to disclose details of an unregistered bank account to police.

Neil Bamber, of Emmanuel Court in Barrow, was ordered by a court to alert police to any financial changes in his life within three days, Preston Crown Court was told.

The 67-year-old pensioner was made the subject of a 20-month suspended sentence order in February 2021 for attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child and attempting to engage in sexual activity with a child.

The court heard Bamber had also been placed on a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) for 10 years, as well as being required to comply with the notification requirements of the sex offenders register as part of the sentence.

Prosecutor Keira Shaw said the defendant had only ever declared a Natwest bank account to police.

She said officers received information that the defendant had been using another bank card registered to a HSBC account.

As a result, Ms Shaw said officers attended the defendant’s address on April 11 this year to conduct a routine home compliance check.

She told the court the defendant was offered the opportunity to disclose the account before signing a document detailing that he understood the terms of his SHPO.

However, Bamber was then subsequently arrested for failing to notify police of a change in his circumstances, the court was told.

The court heard he told officers he did not want to disclose the information as he believed he would lose all of his pension and savings. He conceded that the account had been open for 40 years.

Ms Shaw said Bamber was sentenced to another 16-week suspended sentence order in June last year for ‘waving at a child’ whilst outside a school, which put him in breach of the original order.

Bamber was sentenced on June 12 after conceding he had failed to comply with the notification requirements of the sex offenders register.

In mitigation, his barrister Tom Farr said: “He recognises this was a stupid decision not to declare his bank account. He was concerned for the security of his savings. He was paranoid about what might happen to his financial security and pension.

“He is the full time carer for his wife who suffers with dementia and Alzheimer’s. He receives payment from the government for this. There is no other care in place for his wife.

“It would be unjust to activate his suspended sentence in my respectful submission. He is at low risk of reconviction and does not commit persistent offences. I ask you to draw back from immediate custody today.”

However, Recorder Ayesha Siddiqi disagreed with the defence submissions and as a result jailed Bamber for 42 weeks.

Before passing sentence, Recorder Siddiqi said: “It was concerning behaviour.

“There was a long period of non-compliance here. You had been asked on four occasions to complete a form to disclose your bank details. You were then given the opportunity on the day you were arrested.

“There is no reason why declaring your account would have resulted in the loss of your savings.

“You were incapable or unwilling to comply with the requirements of the law.

“You have a history of poor compliance with court orders. Appropriate punishment can only be achieved by an immediate custodial sentence.”

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Constable Dan Chadwick of Cumbria Constabulary said: “Neil Bamber has been non-compliant since his initial conviction for attempting to incite a child into sexual activity.

"This discovery of an undeclared bank account shows his continued level of non-compliance.

“I am pleased with the result, and I hope it sends the message out to the public that Cumbria Police proactively manage sex offenders.”

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Met officers acted swiftly on information provided by the National Crime Agency to safeguard children and arrest a Hackney man who has been jailed at the Old Bailey.

Information was passed to the Met by the National Crime Agency (NCA), which led to the arrest of Adam Shine, 25 (7.5.99) at his home in Digby Road, Hackney on 6 February.

PC Lindsey Luscombe, of the Met’s Online Child Sex Abuse Investigation Team, policing Hackney and Tower Hamlets, said: “The information provided by the NCA linked Shine to indecent images of children.

“While reviewing his phone, officers quickly identified that Shine had used the Omegle website for three separate video calls with two 11-year-old girls and an 8-year-old girl in April 2023. On each call, Shine masturbated on camera and encouraged the girls to expose or touch themselves sexually.

“Met officers used clues in the videos, which had been recorded and retained by Shine, to locate and safeguard an 11-year-old child in the UK.

“In addition to his custodial sentence, Shine also received an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order. Along with the requirement for him to sign the Sex Offenders' Register indefinitely, this will help to protect other children after he has served his prison sentence.”

Despite extensive efforts, the two other children, believed to be in the United States, have not been identified, in part because of the limited information provided by Omegle which shut down in November 2023. Information has been passed to American authorities.

Anyone with information about similar offending, whether it happened recently or not, is encouraged to report to police by calling 101 or online. To remain anonymous, please contact the independent charity Crimestoppers.

Shine, who worked at an adult store in central London, pleaded guilty on 3 March at the Old Bailey to engaging in sexual communications with the three children as well as causing them to engage in sexual activity, He also pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual activity in the (online) presence of the children. He did not meet any of the victims in person.

He was sentenced at the same court on Friday, 14 June, to four and a half years’ imprisonment.

Description

A bus pervert left three schoolgirls terrified and traumatised after targeting them on the top deck.

Barry Aldcroft zoned in on the 15-year-olds at Haymarket bus station, in Newcastle, talking to them before following them onto a bus and sitting near them. During the journey, they noticed he was looking at them while carrying out a sex act on himself.

When the disgusted teenagers decided to get off the bus early, he then touched one of them on the bottom as she went to retrieve her phone charger. Now the pervert, who was already subject to a court order for trying to communicate sexually with what he thought was a 14-year-old online, has been jailed.

Newcastle Crown Court the three 15-year-old girls had been shopping in Newcastle and one of their mother's decided to let them have a bit longer in town and get the bus home together. They were at the Haymarket bus station in the middle of the afternoon when they were approached by Aldcroft, who asked if they had a lighter and was told they didn't. His contact with the girls put him in breach of his sexual harm prevention order.

The girls got on a bus which was heading to Blyth and went upstairs and sat at the back. Aldcroft followed them and despite there being plenty of empty seats, sat just in front of them, on the opposite side.

As the bus headed towards Cramlington, one of the girls noticed Aldcroft kept looking at them and she swapped seats with her friend as she felt uncomfortable. Another of the girls noticed him pat the seat next to him as if inviting them to sit there and he beckoned them over with his hand.

Neil Pallister, prosecuting, said that Aldcroft spread his legs and was putting his hand down his pants and touching himself while looking in their direction.

Because of his behaviour, they decided to get off the bus and when one of them realised she'd left her phone charger behind and went to get it, Aldcroft poked her bottom. Mr Pallister said that the girl turned to look at him and Aldcroft smiled at her while he was exposing himself.

When the girls got downstairs on the bus they were in a "distressed state" and told the driver what had happened. They said he was still on the bus and the driver rang 999.

Aldcroft, 38, formerly of Cowpen Road, Blyth, tried to claim he had just been "adjusting himself". After getting off the bus, he punched a man in the face because he didn't like the way he was looking at him, having learned what he had been accused of doing.

In victim impact statements, the girls said it affected their education and independence. One them said she was left struggling to cope and had problems using buses as a result of what happened. Her friend added that she struggled to sleep for weeks afterwards and had nightmares about it in which she would see the pervert. She added that she still doesn't feel safe on buses.

The girl who was sexually assaulted said she was an "innocent child" when she fell victim to Aldcroft, adding that as a result of what happened: "I couldn't leave the house without someone with me. It took away my independence. I've had panic attacks and anxiety." She added in words directed at Aldcroft: "I hope you are never able to do this to another person."

Her mum added: "You took away a huge part of her life before it had even begun. She should have been safe on public transport."

Aldcroft was convicted by a jury of exposure, sexual assault, sexual activity in the presence of a child and breaching a sexual harm prevention order and he admitted assault by beating on the man. He was jailed for four years and ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life and will be subject to a lifelong sexual harm prevention order and is barred from working with children or vulnerable adults.

Judge Penny Moreland told him: "What you have done has impacted the lives of those girls in a way they may never recover from."

The court heard Aldcroft has 11 previous convictions. In May 2021 he was given a community order for attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child - a decoy profile purporting to be a 14-year-old girl to whom he sent a picture of his penis. He got another community order in 2022 for breaching that sexual harm prevention order by speaking to his neighbour's children.

Penny Hall, defending, said Aldcroft suffered a brain injury when he was younger and that makes him vulnerable.

Description

A Highland man has been warned to expect a lengthy jail sentence after being found guilty of molesting a child and raping two women.

Niyel Lennock, 28, had denied all the charges during a trial at the High Court in Inverness.

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A 67-year-old man who was once on the FBI’s most wanted list has been convicted of a child sex offence in Kettering.

James Hemphill, previously of Houghton Conquest, Bedford, was on the American law enforcement’s most wanted list for ten years after he pleaded guilty to a child sex offence in America in 1994 but fled to Scotland before he could be sentenced.

After evading the FBI for ten years, he was finally arrested in 2004, returned to America and jailed. But in April 2008, he was deported back to the United Kingdom where he has been living ever since.

At the end of 2022, he was living in Kettering and offended again, contacting a teenage girl and asking her if she wanted him to buy her some underwear.

He also asked her if she wanted adult toys and if she wanted them to share a bed.

The girl in question bravely confided in a family member and Hemphill’s offending was reported to Northamptonshire Police.

He was arrested and subsequently charged with one count of causing/inciting a girl aged 13-15 to engage in sexual activity and one count of failing to comply with the notification requirements of being on the Sex Offenders’ Register.

Following a trial which ended at Northampton Crown Court on Monday, June 18, he was convicted on both counts.

He will return to the same court in September to be sentenced.

Description

A “dangerous offender” has been jailed for 16 years for a series of “depraved and sickening” sex offences and rapes against children as young as four-years-old.

Grant Venamore was sentenced after he raped and abused two victims in Tunbridge Wells and Paddock Wood in incidents which began in the 1990s, when one of the victims was only four.

Sentencing Venamore yesterday (June 18) at Maidstone Crown Court, Judge Philip Statman branded him “a dangerous offender, who had been responsible for “persistent, violent sexual abuse”.

The 48-year-old was told he will have to serve at least two thirds of his prison sentence before he can be considered for parole.

Upon his eventual release from custody he will be the subject of an extended licence period of three years and an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

Venamore was arrested in August 2020, when reports of abuse were first made to Kent Police.

A subsequent investigation revealed he was responsible for a catalogue of offences spanning more than 15 years.

Venamore, of London Road, Croydon, denied any wrongdoing and the case went to trial at Maidstone Crown Court where he was found guilty, by a unanimous verdict, of 11 counts relating to the sexual abuse of children, including multiple rapes.

Detective Constable Tania Muller, of the West Kent Child Protection Team, said: “Venamore repeatedly subjected his young victims to depraved and sickening abuse, causing incalculable damage upon their young lives.

“His actions have not only had a destructive effect upon their childhoods but will have sadly left a damaging and lasting impact on their adult lives.

“It has taken enormous strength and courage for these victims to come forward and provide the evidence and testimony needed to ensure Venamore has now faced justice for these abhorrent crimes.

“his sentence will ensure Venamore serves a long time in prison and importantly no longer poses a threat to any other children.

“I would urge anyone who has been a victim of any sexual offence to remember that it is never too late to report this to the police.

“We have a team of specialist officers who work relentlessly to ensure that offenders like Venamore do not evade justice, just because a crime may have happened a long time ago. We will always treat any information with the upmost confidence and sensitivity.”

Description

A CONVICTED flasher flew to Portugal because he thought his sex offender order had expired.

He appeared at Warrington Magistrates Court last week charged with failing to comply with the notification requirements of the sex offenders register, after misunderstanding when it was due to end.

Gregory Coleman, of Wilderspool Causeway in Warrington, was placed on the sex offenders register in November 2020 after he was caught walking down a street in Widnes while performing a sex act before boarding a train.

Part of the conditions of being placed on the register included informing police of the details of his passport and notifying them a week before intending to travel abroad.

Coleman, 53, broke both requirements after travelling to Portugal with his elderly mother at the beginning of the year.

On February 11, Coleman called police to ask when he was going to be taken off the register and was told that he still needed to comply with the requirements until January next year.

The prosecution for the case, Mrs McGowan, told the court that police were informed that Coleman had arrived at Manchester Airport on a flight from Lisbon on February 6, after having been there for a week.

Defending, Mr Schooler said that Coleman, who suffers with mental health issues, believed that the requirement to notify police had expired in January of this year.

Coleman travelled to Portugal with his mother, who lived abroad in a religious community for seven months last year, to see where she was going to stay and who with.

After flying out and staying there for a week before returning, Coleman believed he had not breached the order as he was not stopped leaving or re-entering the country.

But on February 16, police called the 53-year-old and asked him if he had been away, which he had confessed he had and was reminded that he needed to notify them of his foreign travel until January of next year.

Coleman, who has no previous breaches of the order, was not interviewed by police and pleaded guilty.

He was sentenced to 18 months community order with up to 30 rehabilitation days, as well as a six-month mental health treatment requirement and a £120 fine.

Description

Update: On Monday 17 June, Ahmed was sentenced at London Inner Crown Court to 10 years in jail. He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life, and given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

A man has been found guilty of several serious sexual offences, following a joint British Transport Police (BTP) and Bedfordshire Police investigation.

Awsaf Ahmed, aged 30, of Rutland Avenue, High Wycombe was found guilty by a jury of rape of a female under 16, and causing / inciting a child to engage in sexual activity at Inner London Crown Court on Wednesday 24 April 2024. Ahmed had already pleaded guilty to a charge of causing / inciting a child to engage in sexual activity at an earlier hearing. A sentencing date has been set for Friday 14 June 2024.

The court heard how, on Tuesday 10 October 2023, at around 10.30pm, the victim – a girl aged 14 – was on board a train heading towards London Marylebone station when Ahmed entered the carriage. Ahmed engaged the victim and her group of friends in conversation, asking their age and if they smoked weed.

Ahmed then pressured the victim to get her alone, coercing her to speak to him privately in the toilets and insinuating he had friends everywhere, making her fear for her friend’s safety. Upon entering the toilet, Ahmed locked them inside and despite her repeated pleas for him to stop, raped her. Following the attack, he added her on Snapchat to continue his contact with her. The victim reported the rape to British Transport Police the following day. Later that evening, Ahmed called the victim on Snapchat, asking her “When do you turn 16?” and “Did you enjoy yesterday?”.

Less than a week later, Bedfordshire Police received a report of an incident involving Ahmed. The court heard how on 16 October 2023, Ahmed attempted to engage a girl, aged 15, in sexual activity. Initially, he engaged her in conversation about her jewellery and heritage, before the conversation became more threatening, telling the victim everyone had it in them to kill and if he was disrespected, he could make someone disappear with just one text or call.

Following this he turned the conversation to relationships, asking the 15-year-old for relationship advice before asking her about her own relationship status and sexual experience. He then attempted to coerce her into engage in sexual activity with him. Thankfully, the victim was after able to leave the situation and reported Ahmed to Bedfordshire Police the following day.

On 27 October Ahmed was arrested and charged with offences committed on 10 and 11 October 2023. The investigations were linked, and Ahmed was further charged with offences committed 16 October 2023.

BTP Investigating officer Detective Constable Matthew Nolan said: “Ahmed is a callous predator who targeted young girls for his own sexual gratification. Despite the victim’s repeated pleas for him to stop, he trapped her and raped her, making her fear for not only herself but her friend’s safety. I hope the guilty verdict goes some way in bringing her some closure."

BTP Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Paul Attwell said: “These were extremely frightening experiences for Ahmed’s victims, and I praise them for reporting him so we could act. Ahmed’s coercive and threatening behaviour towards young, vulnerable girls will never be tolerated on the rail network, or anywhere else and I’m thankful to see today’s verdict.”

Detective Constable Rani Bailey, from Bedfordshire Police’s Protecting Vulnerable People (PVP) team, said: “Ahmed’s behaviour was unacceptable and his actions were predatory. We are relentlessly pursing those who think this behaviour is acceptable, and we remain committed to bringing perpetrators of abuse to justice. Regardless of what happened, if someone has made you feel uncomfortable or disrespected your boundaries, it is never too late to come forward and report what has happened to you.”

Description

A depraved paedophile from North Devon has been jailed for 27 years for a 'campaign of rape' against two children. Tyrone Barton was convicted of multiple sexual offences at Exeter Crown Court.

The 64-year-old, from Barnstaple, admitted 12 offences. The judge said the most serious offence 'could only be described as evil'.

The court heard moving statements from both victims in which they described the trauma caused by offences. Afterwards, police praised their courage in coming forward and welcomed the sentence.

Prosecutor Simon Burns said the earliest offence dated back more than 20 years. Barton's behaviour included violence and threats. "It is hard to imagine a case of such depravity," said Mr Burns.

The offences came to light in 2022. Barton told police the accusations were 'probably true' and described himself as 'sick'.

The first victim said in a statement they had been psychologically traumatised by the abuse and finds it hard to trust people. The second will never forget what Barton did. Both are trying to rebuild their lives. "I am so angry with him," said one.

Judge Stephen Climie said Barton, of Woodville, carried out his sick crimes 'without a thought for anything other than your own sexual gratification'.

The court was told Barton was ashamed of his behaviour. The judge added: "I hear the expressions of remorse but view them with great suspicion." He said Barton had shown no remorse at the time he abused the first victim or when he deliberately targeted the second some years later.

"This is a case involving a campaign of rape against two victims." He said if each offence was sentenced consecutively the overall term would be in the range of a 100 years. The 27-year sentence reflected the totality of multiple crimes, including rape of children under 13, attempted rape and indecent assaults.

Devon and Cornwall Police released a comment on behalf of the officer in the case. It said: "We welcome the outcome of this case and would like to thank the victims for their strength in reporting. Their fortitude has resulted in this conviction and that now gives agencies the tools we need to prevent further harm."

Description

A man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for non-recent sex offences.

David Marshall, 62, of Twydale Avenue in Tividale in the West Midlands was sentenced at Worcester Crown Court on Friday 7 June.

He was sentenced to 12 years in prison and one year on extended license after he was found guilty of 15 counts of indecent assault on a male person.

Marshall will also be added to the sex offenders register until further notice.

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A man has been jailed for seven and a half years for sexually assaulting a teenage girl at a hotel in Liverpool city centre.

Andrew Peel, 48, of Pochard Close, in Bradford, was sentenced today, Monday 17 June, at Liverpool Crown Court after being found guilty of sexual assault.

The incident happened at The Premier Inn, on Gower Street, in 2022 when Peel sexually assaulted a 17-year-old girl.

Peel was arrested on the same evening and subsequently charged. Despite denying the offence, he was found guilty following a six-day trial held in May this year.

Description

A flasher who told police he was 'living out a fantasy' by exposing himself at a block of flats in Swindon has been sentenced. 

Police were called to Hinton Street on April 26 after receiving an anonymous report that a male who lived at the flat had been seen outside the entrance to the property naked and showing his genitals.

After another call was made that evening, this time describing the same man standing near  where the bins of the Gorse Hill building were stored and exposing himself, officers found the suspect naked from the waist down before placing him under arrest. 

Enrico Rippa, a 60-year-old former Nationwide employee, appeared before Swindon Magistrates Court on June 17 for sentencing having previously pleaded guilty to one count of exposure.

Prosecuting Keith Ballinger said: "He was described as acting very oddly and was wearing a jacket/cardigan that he wore open on his chest.

"He undid his trousers and exposed himself, making a strange face and moving his hips and he did this for a number of minutes."

In his police interview, Rippa admitted to exposing himself but added it 'was not to anything specific'. 

He told officers that it was a fantasy of his to get caught and that he was heavily intoxicated at the time. 

The court heard that Rippa had previously been convicted of sex offences, with the last conviction in 1996 for which he was placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely. 

In his defence, Miss Hollier explained that he had lost his job at Nationwide as a result of the ongoing court case and was know working part-time doing IT support and bookkeeping. 

Magistrates told him: “Clearly you know this is a serious offence that would’ve had an impact on everyone, everyone who lives in those flats will know what had happened, and everyone will have been affected.

"If that was where I lived, I’d be frightened to go out the back and come across you."

He was given a 24-month community order to do everything the probation service asks, including  20 rehab activity sessions, 31 sessions of the Horizon programme, and 90 hours of unpaid work

"Use this to address your behaviour and learn how to prevent reoffending," magistrates added. 

He must also re-register as a sex offender at a nearby police station within three days of sentencing. 

Description

A PERVERT who twice engaged in sexual activity with a child in the back of his car has been locked up.

Paul Lawrinson gave the schoolboy vapes and £50 in exchange for explicit acts – which constituted rape and sexual assault due to the child’s age.

The 50-year-old appeared before Liverpool Crown Court on Friday to be sentenced, having admitted rape of a child under the age of 13 and sexual assault of a child under the age of 13 at a previous hearing.

Rebecca Smith, prosecuting the case, told the court that Cheshire Police received a report from a safeguarding team regarding concerns regarding a child’s reported sexual activity with an adult male.

The child, who must not be identified by law, had previously set up an account on the Grindr social media network, claiming to be an 18-year-old man ‘looking for fun’.

Lawrinson and the boy began to message each other, initially normal chat, before the conversation quickly became sexual in nature, such as what they would do with one another and if they could meet up for sexual activity.

Arrangements were made for a meet-up in Sankey Valley Park, with this leading to the events of the rape charge.

The boy made his way to Lawrinson’s vehicle and was told to sit in the back, where he was joined by the defendant.

There was more small talk before discussion of sexual activity, with the defendant requesting that the boy perform a sex act on him, which he did.

When speaking to police officers, the boy said this made him ‘slightly uncomfortable’ and feel that he could not leave, but the court heard there was no suggestion that Lawrinson made him stay.

Following the sexual activity, the defendant paid the boy £50 and he left, but conversations continued online about sexual activity and if they could meet up again.

Another arrangement to meet was made for the following day, with there being a discussion of the defendant providing the boy with a ‘reward or present’.

Lawrinson brought up in discussions the complainant’s actual age, with the boy untruthfully telling him he was 16 and not 18.

When they met up in the same location, what unfolded was encapsulated in the sexual assault charge.

The boy decided he was not going to perform any sexual activity with the defendant, and he said no when the defendant asked.

He did however say that he would be prepared to kiss, and the pair did so, and the boy did touch the defendant in a sexual manner over clothing after encouragement from Lawrinson.

In exchange, the defendant gave the boy some vapes before they both parted ways.

When a family member came across messages between the complainant and defendant, the authorities were involved.

Items of the complainant’s clothing were also submitted for analysis, and samples were later found to match that of Lawrinson.

He was arrested on March 13 this year in the car park of Birchwood Forest Park and mobile phones belonging to him were seized.

When arrested, Lawrinson said to officers: “It all makes sense now. He said he was 18, then 16. I said he looked young. I got scared.”

A forensic download of his mobile phone retrieved the messages exchanged, as well as the defendant’s Grindr profile, which showed he sought ‘chav, scally, footie, sporty, slim types under 25’ and said he was ‘happy to reward’.

During his police interview, Lawrinson answered ‘no comment’ to questions put to him.

The court heard an impact statement prepared by the complainant in which he said: “The whole situation has really affected my day-to-day life and wellbeing.

“Since the incident, I have relived the day and moment. Constant reminders of what happened lead me to frequent breakdowns. I just want to scream and cry for peace for five minutes.

“I am a different and snappy person as a result, and I feel I am making it hard for my family to live normally.

“My social life is reduced and I am rarely going out, alone in my bedroom a lot. I just want to be a kid, that is all I want. No kid should ever have to go through this.”

Ms Smith told the court that there was an element of ‘grooming behaviour’, with the nature of the charge meaning the defendant must be classed as an ‘offender of particular concern’.

In mitigating for the defendant, Jeremy Rawson referenced his lack of any previous convictions and how he is a ‘man of impeccable, absolute good character’.

“It is a dreadful shame that he became involved in this particular type of activity,” he said.

“He will regret that for the rest of his life, not just for what he will suffer, but the effect on the young man concerned as well.

“He wished that never happened, and he understands the pain and suffering the young man must be feeling, and how his family must be feeling.

“There is remorse and regret. He bitterly regrets what has happened to this young man.

“He is a man who has always been in work and was in a good relationship.

“It is a terribly sad thing to see a man of his age and respectability sitting where he is, knowing there will be a long sentence of imprisonment.”

Before sentencing, recorder Tania Griffiths said: “You do not need me to tell you how exceptionally serious these offences are.

“You were aware that he was young as you said he told you he was 16, not 18, and even then, you quite rightly queried that age as he was much younger than that.

“The victim personal statement is extremely sad. It speaks of how life has changed for this boy, and one can imagine how he feels. That is all down to you.

“Can you imagine how difficult life is for him on a daily basis? He has got to walk that gauntlet every day. What you did to him will stay with him. He was a young boy.

“You had the benefit of a good upbringing. It is inexplicable why you carried out these offences. You knew he was young, and yet you carried on.”

Lawrinson, of Gainsborough Road, was sentenced to five years and four months in prison, of which he will serve two-thirds before he can apply to the parole boards for an early release.

If he is not considered rehabilitated and this is refused, he must serve the full term, and after his release, he must spend a further year on extended licence.

The court also ordered him to sign the sex offender register for life and abide by the terms of a sexual harm prevention order and restraining order, both for the next 20 years.