Lewis Herman 21

Description

A 21-year-old pervert, Lewis Herman, was jailed for six years and ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life after abusing a 14-year-old girl, leaving her blaming herself.

Herman, of Westmorland Road, Newcastle, was 20 when he began Snapchat contact with the teen, lying that he was 17. He requested photos of her breasts and bottom, sent her a video of himself performing a sex act, and twice drove to meet her in Teesside for sexual activity in his car, per ChronicleLive.

At sentencing, Recorder Christopher Rose noted: "It appears a subsequent partner of yours realised what had happened before with this complainant and reported it to the police."

Herman was convicted of eight offenses, including sexual communication with a child, causing a child to watch a sexual act, sexual activity with a child, and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. He pleaded guilty to causing and inciting the sending of child abuse images.

He faces a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and restraining order.

In her victim impact statement, the girl said:

"I'm completely overwhelmed by what happened. The emotional impact on my life has been significant and my mental health has deteriorated.

"My anxiety has got much worse and I'm constantly thinking about and reliving what happened to me. I struggle to sleep, I have nightmares.

"I sit and cry and think why did it have to be me. I still blame myself even though I know it was not my fault."

She added she dislikes being alone, feels unsafe, and panics seeing people resembling Herman.

Defending, Victoria Lamballe said:

"He continues to advance, at least in part, the account the jury rejected at trial. However he accepts the jury's verdict and has begun to acknowledge he has an unhealthy pre-occupation with sexual matters."