‘Grooming’ is the generic description currently used to describe the conduct of a paedophile or group of paedophiles when preparing a child or children for a meeting with the intention of committing a sexual offence.
The methods of approach adopted include social media of every description, dating applications, ‘phone, text messages or any other means aimed at arranging a meeting for acts of a sexual nature or eliciting a sexual response.
John Veale of Kangs Solicitors comments upon the law prohibiting such activity.
The Law | Kangs Sexual Offences Team
The Sexual Offences Act 2003 (‘the Act’) provides:
Section 14 – a person commits an offence if:
- he Intentionally arranges or facilitates something he intends to do, intends another person to do, or believes that another person will do, in any part of the world and
- that such intention involves sexual activity with a child, causing or inciting a child to engage in a sexual activity, engaging in a sexual activity in the presence a child or causing a child to watch a sexual activity.
Section 15 – a person aged 18 or over commits an offence if that person:
- has met or communicated at least once and subsequently intentionally meets with a child or travels with the intention of meeting the child anywhere in the world or the child travels with the intention of such a meeting in any part of the world.
- intends during the meeting or after it doing with the child any activity that involves the commission of an offence of the nature as described under Section 14.
Section 15A – a person aged 18 or over commits an offence if:
- for the purpose
sof obtaining sexual gratification intentionally communicates with a child, - the communication is sexual or is intended to elicit a response of a sexual nature from the child
- the child is under 16 and the person does not reasonably believe that the child is 16 or over.
Possible Defences | Kangs Solicitors National Sexual Offences Team
It may be a defence:
Section 14 – if the making/facilitating a meeting is for the purpose of protecting the child and not for sexual gratification.
Sections 14, 15 and 15A – if there is a reasonable belief held by the accused that it is not a child involved but someone of 16 years or above.
Penalty Upon conviction | Kangs Solicitors Sexual Offences Advisory Team
On summary conviction before a Magistrates’ Court:
- section 14/ 15 a maximum prison sentence of 6 months and/or a fine to the statutory maximum;
- section 15A a maximum prison sentence of 12 months and or a fine.
On indictment before a Crown Court – a maximum prison sentence of:
- section 14 – 14 years
- section 15 – 10 years and
- section 15A – 2 years.
Who Can I Contact For Advice & Help? | Kangs Criminal Defence Solicitors
To discuss an allegation of a sexual offence in further detail please contact:
Hamraj Kang
hkang@kangssolicitors.co.uk
07976 258171 | 020 7936 6396 | 0121 449 9888
Helen Holder
hholder@kangssolicitors.co.uk
0121 449 9888 | 07989 521210
Sukhdip Randhawa
srandhawa@kangssolicitors.co.uk
0121 449 9888 | 020 7936 6396 | 07989 521 210