Locations
Hangersley Hill, Ringwood, Hampshire, BH24
Description
A RINGWOOD man who groomed a 14-year-old boy he took to car events around the country has been jailed for sexual activity with a child.
Jack Lane (23), of Hangersley, was sentenced to a year in prison after being found guilty following a trial at Bournemouth Crown Court. He was also placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years.
The court heard Lane met with the boy, who was from Poole, several times between March and July 2017.
They shared an interest in cars and together went to meets in Poole, Hampshire London, Wiltshire and Northamptonshire. They also communicated through Facebook and sent texts to each other.
In July 2017 they travelled to an event in Ringwood, where Lane touched the boy inappropriately, the jury was told. Around the same time they attended a car show in Devon, and on the way back Lane again inappropriately touched the teen.
When the boy challenged him, he claimed he had done it accidentally.
The pair went for a swim in the sea in Boscombe that evening, when Lane touched his victim inappropriately over his swimming shorts.
In November 2017 the victim told his mother about the incidents.
Sentencing, the judge said aggravating factors in Lanes offending included the psychological harm caused to the boy and the fact there were multiple incidents.
DC Andy Hale, of Dorset Polices child exploitation team, said: Jack Lane groomed his young victim and gained his trust before making repeated sexual advances, despite the boy making it clear they were against his wishes.
I would like to praise the victim for having the courage to come forward so that Lane could be held accountable for his despicable actions.
I hope this bravery will encourage anyone else who is the victim of this type of offending to come forward in the knowledge that action will be taken and offenders will be prosecuted.