Locations
Coverdale Walk, Alvaston, Derby, Derbyshire, DE24
Description
This Derby pervert groomed an autistic underage girl, telling her he would marry her and promising to buy her a ring, just so she would send him explicit photographs of herself. Derby Crown Court heard how Grant Woodcock kept the pictures she sent in a folder called 'Princess" while she called him 'Daddy" in the messages they exchanged.
The 26-year-old, of Alvaston, also sent the teenager a disgusting image of himself over the internet and told her "yum, I love it" when she messaged him a photograph of her naked breasts. And when she asked him "pants on or off?" before sending another image, he replied "off".
Jailing him for two-and-a-half years, Judge Robert Egbuna highlighted some of the messages Woodcock and the teen exchanged. He said: "She asked you how old you were and you said 23. She told you she was 15 and asked you 'why do you like them young? and you replied 'I just do'.
"You called her 'Princess and she called you 'Daddy'. She told a friend at school she had a boyfriend who was 23 and sent you (explicit) images which you put in a file called 'Princess'. She asked you 'pants on or off' and you replied 'off'.
"She asked about you getting married and you replied that you would and she sent you photographs of engagement rings. You did not love or care for her you were in a settled relationship you had no intention of ending.
"She told you she was 'needy' and all of these messages are you toying with her emotions. In my view the messages are consistent with you grooming a child, the whole intention was was to entice her to send you explicit photos."
Sarah Slater, prosecuting, said the offences date back to May and June, 2019. She said the defendant and the victim befriended each other over a social media gaming site and began exchanging messages.
The prosecutor said these soon turned sexual and he asked her to send him sexual images of herself, which she did. Miss Slater said: "Derbyshire police were informed by Scottish police after statements were made by the girl's father and two friends that she (the victim) had disclosed she was talking to men online.
"She said pictures were exchanged, she sent pictures of her breasts and then he asked her to send him a picture of her touching herself. He spoke about them meeting up, he wanted her to come and meet him but she refused and said he could come up to see her and they could have sex in his car.
"He talked about them getting married and having children. He was arrested on August 23, 2019 and he said he had not been in conversation with the victim.
"His phone was seized and images were downloaded which showed seven that were confirmed to be of the victim. In one message she asks him to buy her an engagement ring and he says he will get her one.
"She tells him she is going for a shower and she sent him a photo of her feet. He told her he wants one of 'further up'."
Woodcock, of Coverdale Walk, pleaded guilty to causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. He has no previous convictions.
Miss Slater read out part of a victim impact statement made by the girl. In it she said: "It is three years since the incidents, it was hard talking about it then and it is still hard talking about it now.
"I can't write all the ways this has affected me otherwise I would write a novel. I have horrific nightmares and wake in pain and crying most nights.
"Everyone in my (school) year found out and I was bullied and even seeing the name 'Grant' was upsetting. I don't think anyone really understood what I was going through."
Almas Ben-Aribia, mitigating, said her client has a partner and young son. She said: "He regrets his poor choices, he has worked as a doorman where he assisted the police and more recently he was working for JCB. He wants to set up his own business as a DJ performing at weddings and nightclubs.
"He is described in his references as 'loving, caring and supportive' and his best friend describes him as 'a soft loveable giant'. The stigma attached to this kind of offence cannot be understated."
As well as the jail sentence, Judge Egbuna handed Woodcock a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and made him sign on the sex offender register for life.