Grooming Offences

What Is Grooming?

Grooming refers to the act of building a relationship with a child to manipulate, exploit, or ultimately engage in sexually abusing them. In many cases, allegations involve sexual conversations that take place over an extended period, either online or in person, before escalating into more serious offences.

Those facing child grooming charges are often accused of additional offences, such as:

• Sexual conversations with a child
• Causing a child to watch a sexual act
• Causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
• Causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity
• Arranging or facilitating a child sex offence
• Meeting a child following sexual grooming

At Eventum Legal, we frequently represent individuals who are initially arrested for sexual communication with a child or making indecent images of children. However, during the investigation, police may analyse electronic devices and uncover further allegations of a more serious nature, which could significantly impact your case.

If you must attend court, our expert defence lawyers will meticulously review all the evidence, challenge inconsistencies, and develop a strong legal strategy to protect your rights. We also provide clear guidance on legal fees, ensuring complete transparency throughout your defence. 

Contact Eventum Legal today for expert legal support in defending against child grooming charges.

What Are the Penalties for Grooming Offences?

The penalties for grooming offences can be severe, with sentencing depending on factors such as the victim's age, the nature of the communication, and any intent to commit further offences. Under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, grooming involving children or vulnerable adults can lead to significant custodial sentences.

If convicted, the maximum sentence for grooming can be up to 10 years’ imprisonment, while more serious offences, such as arranging to meet a child for sexual purposes, carry an even higher maximum penalty making it crucial for your defence to be meticulously prepared and presented.

Those under investigation will likely be required to attend a police interview where no doubt difficult and personal questions will be asked. Having an experienced legal team who are not afraid to challenge the police and evidence is crucial to ensuring your rights are protected.

At Eventum Legal, our specialist defence lawyers provide expert guidance at every stage, from the police interview to trial, helping clients navigate the legal process and work towards the best possible outcome.

Sentencing For a Grooming Offences

Grooming offences attract a maximum custodial sentence of 10 years imprisonment if a person is convicted. When considering the sentence the court will consider which category the offending falls into. Each case is different, and our team will provide tailored advice to your circumstances, giving you a clearer idea on the potential sentence you could be facing if accused of a grooming offence.

When establishing which category the offending falls into the court will have regard to various factors, some of which are:

Factors Indicating Raised Harm:

• Continued contact despite victim’s attempts to terminate contact
• Sexual images exchanged
• Victim exposed to extreme sexual content (for example, extreme pornography)
• Child is particularly vulnerable due to personal circumstances

Factors Indicating Raised Culpability:

• Offender acts together with others to commit the offence
• Communication indicates penetrative sexual activity is intended
• Offender lied about age/persona
• Use of threats (including blackmail), gifts or bribes
• Abuse of trust
• Specific targeting of a particularly vulnerable child
• Abduction/detention

Have You Been Accused of Meeting a Child Following Grooming?

Being accused of meeting a child following grooming is a serious allegation, carrying severe consequences. If you are facing such charges, it is essential to seek immediate legal representation, so your defence is robust and carefully prepared from day one. 

Various factors, including previous convictions, content of digital evidence, and intent can influence the severity of the case. Given the legal complexities, having an experienced lawyer can help navigate the legal process, protect your rights, and ensure the best possible outcome for your case, protecting your future. 

Have You Heard of Hunter Groups and Undercover Police Officers?

It is now a significant aspect of modern policing and public action for internet vigilantes, who are members of the public, to use social media and online communication to pose as a child and engage with adults in an attempt to expose people accused of sexual offences. Similarly, police officers also employ these tactics with the same objective.

When an individual is arrested based on evidence gathered through these methods, it is crucial to assess whether the conduct of those obtaining the evidence has compromised its reliability or fairness, potentially impacting the justice process. In some cases, improper procedures can make all the difference in determining the outcome of a case.

Our highly skilled lawyers have successfully challenged evidence obtained by vigilante groups, mainly when their approach has been aggressive or unethical, potentially hindering a prosecution.

We have also challenged evidence obtained by police officers posing as children in online communication, making abuse of process applications to the court to halt prosecutions based on unfair or unjust procedures. If you or a family member is facing allegations from such operations, seeking expert legal advice is essential.

Are There Any Defences for Grooming? 

Defences for sexual grooming vary depending on the nature of the allegations and the exact offences alleged. If, upon examination of a device, the police allege that an adult has been grooming a child, we would want to consider the content of that chat and identify whether carefully:

• The conversation was sexual
• Is the accused aware of the child's age
• If the child was, in fact, an undercover officer or a vigilante group, has there been an abuse of process and
• If it is alleged that an arrangement was made to meet a child, does the conversation regarding that meeting meet the required standard for prosecution?

Our lawyers will aim to scrutinise, where possible, the evidence presented by the police/prosecution and will work alongside you to build an effective defence.

Are You Ready for Us To Help With Any Grooming Offences Being Alleged Against You?

If you are facing charges related to grooming offences, it is crucial to act quickly and seek expert legal advice. These allegations carry severe consequences, including potential imprisonment and a lasting impact on your reputation.

Our highly skilled legal team is experienced in defending people accused of such offences, ensuring that every significant aspect of your case is thoroughly examined.

Whether the allegations stem from online communication, police investigations, or internet vigilante stings, having the right legal support can make all the difference in your defence.

If you or a family member needs urgent legal assistance, we are here to help. Our free consultation will allow us to discuss all aspects of any grooming offence allegations made against you in a non judgemental and confidential enviroment. Speak to our team today!