Online Groomer Who Knew Victim Was 13 Sentenced to 38 Months

A man in his late twenties has been handed a thirty-eight month prison sentence after admitting he had sexual intercourse with a thirteen-year-old girl he first encountered on social media.

The court heard that the man reached out to the child online in early 2022, and the two began exchanging messages. At some point during their conversations, the girl disclosed that she was only thirteen years old. The man told her he was twenty-five — yet continued to pursue her.

Armed with the knowledge of her age, he arranged to meet the child in a secluded area near her home. In April 2022, he had sexual intercourse with her at that location. He offended again in July of the same year.

The abuse came to light in November 2022 when a report was made to police, triggering an investigation that would eventually lead to his day in court.

His trial got underway in January of this year, but proceedings were cut short just two days in when the defendant changed his plea to guilty — after his bid to have his confession ruled inadmissible failed.

On Wednesday, the court sentenced him to thirty-eight months behind bars.