ADAM DRANE STOKE-ON-TRENT PERVERT SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEXUAL COMMUNICATIONS

A 36-year-old man from Stoke-on-Trent, Adam Drane, has been found guilty of engaging in inappropriate and sexual communications with someone he believed to be a 13-year-old girl, known by the alias 'Molly'. The disturbing incident unfolded on a teenage dating website, where Drane created a profile under the pseudonym 'LiamUK19'. In this profile, he falsely claimed to be a 19-year-old student studying sports science, aiming to appear as a relatable and harmless young adult.

During the course of their online conversations, Drane sent a series of explicit messages that revealed his sexual intentions and preferences. He made comments suggesting that 'she would love his hands inside her underwear,' and inquired about Molly's virginity and the size of her breasts, explicitly indicating a preference for smaller breasts. These messages were part of a pattern of predatory behavior that aimed to exploit what he believed was a vulnerable underage girl.

Prosecutor Andrew Baker described the content of Drane's messages as 'disgusting,' emphasizing the disturbing nature of his comments. Among the messages, Drane expressed a desire for Molly to touch his private area and revealed a preference for pubic hair, further illustrating his inappropriate and predatory mindset. These exchanges were part of an undercover operation, where Drane was communicating with an officer posing as a minor, which ultimately led to his arrest.

On July 12, 2019, authorities detained Drane in connection with his online activities. Following his arrest, he pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child. The court proceedings resulted in a fine of £5,000 and a two-year community order. As part of his sentence, Drane was required to complete 40 days of rehabilitation activities designed to address his behavior. Furthermore, he was placed on the sex offenders' register for a period of five years and was legally barred from participating in any activities involving children or vulnerable adults.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Paul Glenn addressed the court, condemning Drane's actions as 'disgusting.' The judge acknowledged that Drane had no prior convictions and had shown some effort towards rehabilitation. The court also noted the support provided by Drane's partner, who attended courses aimed at assisting partners of offenders, which was seen as a positive factor. Based on these considerations, Judge Glenn assessed the risk of re-offending as low, but emphasized the seriousness of the offense and the need for ongoing monitoring and rehabilitation.