Description
A man has been jailed for six years and will be monitored by police for life after admitting to sexual activity with a child he groomed on social media.
Lewis Plane had initially denied the offences but changed his plea at the start of his trial at Ipswich Crown Court in December last year.
Following detailed work by Essex Police’s Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) team Plane, of Prince Philip Road, Colchester, was arrested and interviewed. He refused to answer any questions.
Used fake profile
The 33-year-old had messaged the victim on Snapchat in October 2023. Using a fake profile, he asked her to add him as a friend and told her he was 17 years old.
Knowing how old she was, Plane then sent the girl multiple inappropriate and sexualised messages, including videos of him performing indecent acts.
He then told the victim his profile kept being shut down, they exchanged numbers and started communicating via WhatsApp.
And within a few weeks of the initial online contact, they had arranged to meet in Clacton. They would later meet in Colchester.
These meetings happened regularly, with the victim believing she was in a relationship with the defendant.
This continued until the victim stop seeing the defendant in the Spring of 2025.
Subject to Sexual Harm Prevention Order
Through a separate investigation officers became aware of the victim and spoke to her. Following sensitive enquiries, she was able to confirm what had happened to her.
With the weight of evidence against him, Plane admitted three counts of sexual activity with a child, meeting a child following sexual grooming, sexual communication with a child and controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship.
At Ipswich Crown Court on Friday 6 February Plane was jailed for six years, will be subject to a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order and was given an indefinite restraining order.
"supported me throughout"
Following the sentence, the victim said:
I would like to thank PC Eleanor Rutherford and Detective Constable Emmie Yeo who worked on my case and my independent sexual violence advisor Kate Allen who have all supported me through everything, I don’t know how I would’ve handled this case without them they are angels.
"child protection is utmost priority"
PC Eleanor Rutherford said:
I want to pay tribute to the victim for her resilience and strength throughout this investigation.
By sharing what happened to her, she has ensured that not only is this dangerous predator behind bars, but other children are protected.
Child protection is our utmost priority, and we will work relentlessly to keep them safe.
And when Plane is released, he will be monitored and have strict restrictions placed on him to protect children going forward.