A 29-year-old paedophile from Weymouth, Christopher Barrow, who groomed and subsequently abused a 15-year-old girl, has been sentenced to 13 months in prison.
UPDATE 2022 – Reportly working in Bury, BL9 under the name Christopher Penguin.
Christopher Barrow, depicted, travelled to visit the child after reserving a hotel for New Year’s Eve following internet communication.
However, when a worried friend informed an older sister about the situation, the police were summoned, resulting in his arrest at The Angel Hotel in Chippenham.
Colin Meeke, for the prosecution, informed Swindon Crown Court on Tuesday that the minor was 14 years old when she posted a message on the social media platform Kik last year.
She extended a wide offer for dialogue, to which he responded. He stated that they appeared to have interacted positively.
Despite the girl explicitly stating her age as 14 from the beginning, and him claiming to be a 28 or 29-year-old pub manager, the communication rapidly adopted a sexual nature.
During a game of truth or dare, she enquired whether he would be willing to cuddle her.
He stated his intention and thereafter enquired whether she would engage in sexual intercourse with him if she were over 16.
It is evident that he was consistently aware of her being under the age of 16. An arrangement was made to convene around her 15th birthday in July of the previous year.
Mr. Meeke stated that this had not occurred due to her parents’ prior commitments; but, in September and October, she and Christopher Barrow devised a plan for New Year’s Eve.
Christopher Barrow reserved a hotel room, and she rendezvoused with him at the train station on December 31, having informed her family that she would be spending the night with friends.
In their correspondence, she expressed her desire to postpone losing her virginity till the age of 16; nonetheless, following intimate kissing and snuggling in the room, he engaged in sexual touching.
Mr. Meeke stated that after encountering her, some of her acquaintances, who were aware of the situation, attempted to message her but received no response.
Upon her eventual response to the messages, they sought her out due to concerns for her safety, at which point one of the friends informed her older sister.
The following day, a police officer was present at the reception when Barrow passed by. When enquired about the girl’s age, he responded with “no comment” and was subsequently detained.
Christopher Barrow, THEN residing at Reedling Close, Weymouth, admitted guilt to two charges of engaging in sexual contact with a minor.
Mike Jeary, in defence, stated that his client had been forthright with the police regarding his actions and was prepared to participate in the Thames Valley Sex Offenders program.
He claimed to be a well-educated individual but had transitioned from one profession to another and had evidently prepared the girl prior to their encounter.
Imprisoning him Judge Tim Mousley QC stated: I am certain that there was a level of grooming directed at her, which ceased only when a friend’s elder sister notified the police.
He was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment for the sexual crimes, with an additional month imposed for failing to submit to authorities the previous week.
He additionally instituted a sexual crimes prevention order limiting his freedom and mandated that he register as a sex offender for a duration of ten years.
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