Karl Grocott 44

Description

A 44-year-old data analyst, Karl Grocott, sent an image of Simpsons character Mr. Burns to "indicate his evil plan was working" before attempting to meet a "12-year-old boy" at Edge Lane McDonald's in Liverpool.

He boasted to the boy, "Kade," that he was a 27-year-old STEM teacher who "liked to kiss boys' bodies," but was actually communicating with undercover police.

Prosecutor Christopher Taylor told Liverpool Crown Court that Grocott had two conversations: one with "Kade" and one with adult "John," to whom he claimed abusing boys at parties and shopping centers, sending the Mr. Burns image as a "suggestion his evil plan was working."

After weeks of communication, Grocott arranged to meet "Kade" on May 10, 2024, planning sexual activity in a hotel room. Police arrested him nearby, seizing two Motorola phones; a hotel search found a condom, lubricant, and chocolate.

Grocott believed "Kade" was 12, claimed prior abuse of a pupil in Blackpool, sent naked torso images and sexual emojis, and promised "fun for hours" with "no pressure" for sex.

With five prior convictions for nine offenses, including making indecent images of children and breaching a sexual harm prevention order (from Manchester Minshull Street Court, 2018-2024), Grocott pleaded guilty to attempting to meet a child under 16 following grooming and attempted sexual communication with a child.

Defender David Birrell noted no sexual images were exchanged (only sent by Grocott) and cited the defendant's mental health issues or learning difficulties, adding: "I think it is commonly known that those with traits of autism can excel in certain areas." He highlighted Grocott's data analyst role, earnings, and prison progress on courses.

Sentencing, Judge Neil Flewitt KC said: "There was no real child. The people you were communicating with were two undercover police officers. There was no child available to meet you but you didn't know that or desist from the offences.

"You went online communicating with another adult expressing an interest in young boys. You then began to engage in sexualised chat with a boy you believed to be 12. It went on over a period of time. It did not end there because you agreed to meet a person you believed to be a 12-year-old boy.

"What you had in mind was penetrative sexual activity with a boy aged 12 which would have been rape of a child under the age of 13. It was only the intervention of the police that brought it to a conclusion."

"You must have known what you were doing was quite wrong."

Grocott, of Hurst Avenue in Sale, received 27 months for the two offenses, plus a consecutive six months for breaching his prior order. He faces indefinite sexual harm prevention order and Sexual Offences Act notifications.