AARON SMITH'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN GRIMSBY: REPEATED OFFENSES AND LIBRARY COMPUTER BREACHES

In July 2019, Aaron Smith, a resident of Grimsby, found himself at the center of a disturbing criminal case that highlighted his blatant disregard for court orders and the safety of children. The case revealed that Smith, 31 years old at the time, had been engaging in illicit online activities despite being under strict legal restrictions following previous convictions.

Authorities uncovered that Smith had been using computers at the main library in Grimsby to access the internet secretly. Over the course of six separate occasions between October and November, Smith logged into the library’s computers, spending a total of one hour and 53 minutes. Unfortunately, the specific content he viewed remains unknown because the browsing history was lost when a user logged off, making it impossible for investigators to determine what he had been looking at during those sessions. Smith, who had been a member of the library for several years, attempted to conceal his activities through various means, including resetting his phone to erase most of his search history.

Further complicating the case, Smith failed to disclose to police that he had been using a second identity to contact a sex offender in Leeds via Xbox Live. The messages exchanged between Smith and this other individual were not stored on Smith’s device, and the communication was only traced through the other sex offender’s account. This breach of transparency was yet another violation of the court’s orders.

Smith’s actions demonstrated a clear and blatant disregard for the legal restrictions imposed on him. The court heard that he had previously been jailed in 2012 for a series of heinous offenses involving child abuse images and contact with minors. At that time, Smith, then 24 and living on Arthur Street in Grimsby, had downloaded nearly 900 indecent images of children, many of which involved babies and toddlers. Some of these images were classified as Level 5, the most explicit and disturbing category. He also forwarded some images to a 14-year-old girl, further illustrating his predatory behavior.

His criminal history was extensive, including dozens of convictions for exposing himself in public, indecent assault, and outraging public decency. His pattern of offending began when he was just 13 years old. The court described his conduct as “vile and disgusting,” emphasizing the significant risk he posed to the community. As part of his sentence, Smith was subjected to a lifetime Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) and was required to register as a sex offender for life.

Despite these measures, Smith continued to breach the court’s orders. In 2012, he was sentenced to a minimum of two years in prison for his previous offenses, with the court noting that he had a “sexually deviant preference for young children” and a lifestyle that seemed almost determined to seek out sexual thrills. The judge, Recorder Mark Bury, expressed concern about the severe harm his actions could cause, both psychologically and physically.

In the latest case, Judge John Thackray QC described Smith’s breaches as “blatant,” highlighting the danger posed by his continued online activity without oversight. Smith’s repeated offenses and attempts to hide his behavior led to his being sentenced to an additional two years in prison. However, he will not be released until the Parole Board determines that his risk can be safely managed under public protection provisions.

Smith’s criminal record is extensive, with 40 previous convictions, including multiple offenses for indecent exposure, indecent assault, and public decency violations. His history also includes a two-year jail term for robbery. The court’s decision underscores the seriousness of his repeated violations and the ongoing threat he poses to the community, especially to children.

In summary, Aaron Smith’s case in Grimsby exemplifies the persistent danger posed by individuals with a history of sexual offenses who continue to breach legal restrictions. His actions, including unauthorized use of library computers and secret online communications, reflect a troubling pattern of behavior that authorities are determined to monitor and control to prevent further harm.