A teacher who groomed and sexually abused a girl for months has been sentenced to 11 years in prison. David Brown, 35, appeared at Preston Crown Court after admitting multiple offences.
Grooming and abuse details
The court heard that Brown contacted the young girl on social media over several months, using four different phones. On one occasion, he video-called her while wearing only his underwear. He later sexually assaulted the victim and kissed her after months of sexual messages.
Brown also took the child to secluded locations to abuse her and groomed her for sexual activity at a house. He deliberately sought to isolate her to carry out the abuse.
Investigation and sentencing
After police were alerted, officers searched his classroom and discovered four mobile phones in his desk. Analysis revealed around 700 messages of a sexual nature between Brown and the girl.
He was arrested at his former home in Lytham St Annes. When cautioned, he replied: "Can I go for a wee? I'm going to wee my pants. I'm sorry." He then answered 'no comment' to all questions in interview.
Brown, now of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to one count of sexual communication with a child, three counts of sexual communication with a child, and one count of causing a child to engage in sexual activity. Judge Paul Hodgkinson sentenced him to 11 years and ordered him to sign the sex offender register.
Impact on victim and family
In a victim impact statement, the girl's mother said: "This incident has kept me awake night after night for months, with feelings of guilt, guilt that I was not able to do what I consider to be the most important job in the world - protecting my child.
"I feel that David has stolen a year of our lives, a year of childhood memories I should be making for my daughter have been taken away, when I should be on family holidays and making positive experiences, instead have been spent having to deal with David’s actions as a family together."
Police response
DS Adam Errington, of West Child Abuse Investigation Team, said: "First and foremost, I must recognise the victim in this case. She was made to believe that Brown cared for her, that he had done nothing wrong. She was not only a victim of his sexual crimes, but also of his mental abuse.
"Since the report was made to us, she has shown strength beyond her years in what must have been a horrific time in her life. I can only hope that she now knows that justice has been served, and that Brown has been held accountable for his actions that were so wrong.
"Brown is a paedophile who tried to disguise himself as a trusted member of society. He abused his position as a teacher, as a person with a responsibility for young people’s wellbeing all for his own sordid sexual interests.
"I welcome the custodial sentence against him, and hope that he uses his time behind bars to truly reflect on how reprehensible his actions were.
"I want to send a message to young people out there today who may be a victim of sexual offences, without realising they are. It isn’t love – it is manipulation, and it is a crime. If you or someone you know may be a victim of sexual offences, please tell us, or someone you trust. We will listen to you, we will believe you, and we will do all we can to get you justice."
