Locations
Greenacres Avenue, Uxbridge, UB10 8HQ
Description
A man who groomed a teenage girl online before meeting her for sex has been jailed for a string of child sex offences.
Alex Cadwell, 21, was arrested on Friday, August 30 2019 after a report of a rape involving a 13-year-old girl.
It took place in the toilets to the rear of the British Legion on Hollyhedge Road, Cobham on Saturday, 24 August 2019.
A court heard that Cadwell had groomed the victim online over the period of a month, inciting them to commit sexual acts before meeting in real life.
Police said he then engaged in sexual activity with the teenager.
Surrey Police responded and Cadwell was identified, arrested and interviewed. His digital devices were seized and further enquiries revealed extensive online grooming of the victim, together with other offences involving other victims.
He was charged and following a trial in November was found guilty of 22 sexual offences including two counts of sexual activity with a child, making indecent images of child, inciting a child to commit sexual acts and causing a child to watch a sexual act.
Cadwell, of Greenacres Avenue, Uxbridge, appeared at Kingston Crown Court via video link on Friday (January 29), where he was jailed for ten years with a five year extension period.
He was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.
Cadwell will be subject to a strict Sexual Harm Prevention Order on his release.
Investigating Officer Detective Sergeant Alan Poland said: “I hope that this sentence brings some closure to Cadwell’s victims who have shown courage throughout the proceedings from the initial report through to giving evidence in court.
"Further to this I hope that it acts as a deterrent to those who seek to prey on children for their sexual gratification.
"Whether this is done hiding behind a computer screen, or hiding behind an alias in real life offenders will be identified, arrested and prosecuted.”
An NSPCC spokesperson said: "Cadwell’s use of online platforms to groom and abuse a 13-year-old child highlights the risks young people are currently facing on the internet.
“This will have been a terrible ordeal for the victim and we hope she gets all the support she needs to move forward with her life. It is also imperative that online platforms continue to design in safety measures for all the young people who use them."