David Flavell 40

Description

A paedophile with a fetish for young girls in school uniform used a website for train enthusiasts to groom a victim before arranging to meet her. David Flavell, 39, travelled from his home in St Austell to Snow Hill train station in Birmingham only to spot the 13-year-old with her mum and police officers.

Flavell, from St Austell, appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentence via video-link from prison having pleaded guilty to a breach of a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard how Flavell was made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order in 2017 after he was jailed for seven years for indecently assaulting two children. Flavell took indecent photographs of the two girls and distributed them on the internet. There were photos of girls in school uniforms in a shower and in a bath and taking part in sexual acts.

Regarding the most recent offence in April and May of last year, prosecuting barrister Victoria Bastock told the court that a moderator for the website Rail Cam UK noticed Flavell, who had been released from prison early on licence, striking up a conversation with a 13-year-old girl in the comments section.

Flavell offered her support when she said she was the victim of bullying, said he'd always be there for her, complimented her looks and personality and said he loved her, referring to her as his little sister. The girl told Flavell her age but he continued to promise to spend money on her. After the moderator shared his concerns and contacted the police Flavell moved the conversation onto another website.

It was at the other website that an arrangement to meet was made and after a first meeting was rescheduled, Flavell travelled from Cornwall to Birmingham only to see the girl with her mum and police.

He tried to escape but Flavell was subsequently arrested and in interview he said that he wasn't prepared to let the girl be bullied and he wanted to meet her to make her realise life could be so much more. Flavell, who was recalled to prison for the previous offence when he was arrested, said he knew what he was doing was wrong but his intentions were good.

Representing Flavell, Philippa Harper said: "He made full and frank admissions and admitted he was in breach of the order. His intentions were good. The majority of the conversations were about trains and no sexual photos were exchanged. He joined the site because of a genuine interest in trains and was not actively seeking out a child to speak to.

"A lot of the conversation was her confiding in him about being bullied. He wants to change and wants to offer his sincere apologies. He has a job lined up with an industrial cleaning company when he is released."

Sentencing, Recorder Mathew Turner noted that Flavell travelled a considerable distance to meet the girl, adding "there is clearly an element of grooming of a vulnerable child."

Recorder Turner said the offence was "a deliberate breach" of the sexual harm prevention order and that Flavell had been released on licence for less than a year at the time. Flavell was jailed for 14 months, but this latest sentence won't affect his recall release date for the original sentence of August next year.