A sexual predator from North Shields has been jailed for four years and six months after grooming a teenage girl he met on social media. Lewis Bradley, 32, formerly of Wyndham Way, was sentenced on Monday, October 19, after pleading guilty to grooming, multiple counts of sexual activity with a child, and possession of indecent images of a child.
Bradley targeted the victim when she was 14, telling her he was 18 when he was actually 28. He invited her to his home, where he carried out sexual activity on multiple occasions over two days. The victim's mother alerted Northumbria Police, and the force's Safeguarding department launched a full investigation.
Investigation and Charges
After his arrest, Bradley claimed in interview that he believed the victim was at least 17 and denied telling her he was 18. Examination of his seized mobile phone revealed he was in possession of indecent images of children. He was charged with grooming, multiple counts of sexual activity with a child, rape, and possession of indecent images of a child.
On the first day of his trial in August, Bradley pleaded guilty to all offences except rape, which he denied. Following discussions with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the rape charge was amended to a further offence of sexual activity with a child, to which he pleaded guilty.
Sentencing and Victim Impact
In addition to the prison term, Bradley was made subject to a 15-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and will remain on the Sex Offenders' Register for life. In a victim personal statement read out in court, the victim-survivor said: "For a while I blamed myself for what happened to me. Day after day I cried, wondering if I would ever feel like myself again."
She added: "I felt disgusted and humiliated. I felt ashamed of myself. But I soon realised that it's not my fault that he took advantage of me. What he did changed me in so many ways, and now I'm scared to trust people. Sometimes it replays in my head and keeps me awake at night."
Police Response
Detective Sergeant Alan Gibbons, of Northumbria Police, said: "Firstly, I'd like to pay tribute to the victim-survivor for her bravery in this case. She has shown immense courage to come forward and report the horrendous crimes she was subjected to, and we hope that now Bradley has been sentenced, she is able to take a degree of closure as she seeks to rebuild her life."
Det Sgt Gibbons added: "Lewis Bradley is a predator who took advantage of a child for his own sexual gratification and that is completely unacceptable. He gave no regard for the victim-survivor's wellbeing whatsoever, and I am pleased he has now been jailed. I sincerely hope that this case serves as a reminder to anyone who is a victim of sexual offences that if you come forward to report these types of crimes to us you will be listened to and you will be believed."
Northumbria Police advises anyone who has been a victim-survivor of sexual abuse, whether recent or non-recent, to contact police via direct message on social media, the live chat or 'report' pages on the Northumbria Police website, or by calling 101.
