Locations
Russell Street, Swansea, SA1
Description
Swansea shop worker jailed for grooming and attempting to meet 13-year-old girl for sex
A Swansea shop worker who groomed a 13-year-old girl and tried to lure her to his home for sexual activity was arrested by police after her mother discovered the plan and raised the alarm.
Prasad Saravanan, 24, of Russell Street, pleaded guilty at Swansea Crown Court to meeting a girl under 16 following sexual grooming and inciting a girl under 16 to engage in sexual activity.
Prosecutor Georgia Donohue said Saravanan knew the girl was underage after repeatedly speaking to her while she wore her school uniform. He obtained her number and they communicated via Snapchat and WhatsApp.
The girl asked him for a cannabis cigarette. Her mother found their WhatsApp messages and blocked him, but contact continued on Snapchat.
In October 2024, Saravanan invited the 13-year-old to his home. She said she would do “anything he wants”, including performing oral sex when asked.
On 24 October, while the girl was travelling to the meeting, her mother grew suspicious after a phone call and texted Saravanan pretending to be her daughter’s friend. He confirmed the rendezvous. Officers arrested him at the location before the girl arrived.
The girl’s mother said in an impact statement that her daughter was a “kind and trusting” girl “still learning about the world” and that Saravanan had manipulated an “emotionally vulnerable child”.
Defending, Walter Verkaik said Saravanan, originally from Chennai in India, had come to the UK to study. He produced references describing him as a “moral person”, including from a university lecturer. His right to remain in the UK has now been withdrawn and he wishes to return to India.
Judge Catherine Richards said Saravanan had “groomed and manipulated” the young girl. She noted the positive references but said his future plans had been “significantly altered”.
He was sentenced to 31 months in prison after receiving a 25% discount for his guilty plea. He will serve 40% of the sentence in custody. Saravanan was also placed on the sex offenders register for life and made subject to a five-year sexual harm prevention order.