Manchester paedophile Luke Simpson, 23, was spared a jail sentence this week after a court was told that ‘he lives in an enclosed religious community and has had little opportunity to socialise with women of his own age’.
Simpson, according to this report, had pleaded guilty to grooming a 12-year-old girl, enticing her to engage in sexual activity, and two counts of sexual assault.
Minshull Street Crown Court heard that Simpson ignored two separate warnings from the girl’s furious dad to stay away from her.
His plan to meet her in a hotel for sex was discovered after her dad confiscated her phone and read texts about it. After her dad found out about the meeting, he spoke to Simpson and:
Used the word ‘paedophile’ to make it clear, in no uncertain terms, that what was going on was not appropriate.
Simpson, who had bought his victim a ring, still does not see his behaviour as wrong and held the warped view he was in a relationship with her, the court heard, after she confided in him and he developed ‘romantic’ feelings.
His barrister Andrew Gilmore said.
He lives in an enclosed religious community and has had little opportunity to socialise with women of his own age. He tried to be a good Christian. He tried to provide support. Unfortunately he found himself having feelings for her that are inappropriate. And he doesn’t have the skills to understand this relationship was wrong.
Judge Tina Landale accused Simpson of exploiting the girl – but said in the end she had decided the community was better served by him receiving treatment rather than going to prison.
He was sentenced to a three year community order, with him having to go through a sexual offenders rehabilitation programme.
He will also be subject to a curfew between the hours of 9pm and 7am every night for four months.
The judge told him:
You exploited her vulnerability. Despite being warned by her father to stay away you booked a hotel with the intention of having intercourse with her. The only thing that stopped that meeting was her father’s actions.
You sit here tearfully but the tears you cry are not tears of remorse for what you have done. It seems to me they are tears for yourself.
However she added:
The psychological report prepared for the court makes clear you are unable to understand that the relationship you pursued with this child was wrong and illegal, even though you were told in the clearest terms by her father.
I am persuaded, just, that you are capable of rehabilitation and that the best place for that to take place is in the community.
The only reason I’m not sending you to custody is that you are willing to accept treatment.
Hat tip: B Jordan and BarrieJohn