ASHLEY BROOKS SENTENCED IN BURY FOR CHILD GROOMING OFFENSES IN BIRMINGHAM
A law student from Bury, Ashley Brooks, traveled to Birmingham intending to meet a 13-year-old boy he had been grooming, only to find police already at the address.Minshull Street Crown Court was told that Brooks had previously received a police warning about his conduct but still attempted to meet the teenager in January this year.
Judge Mark Savill described the case as "the most extraordinary of events I have encountered." The court heard that Brooks, aged 25, had been in contact with the victim since July 2020 via PlayStation Network.
Initially, he lied about his age and later threatened to harm himself if the teen blocked him.
It was revealed that police attended Brooks’s home on Holly Street, Tottington, last October after officers in Northern Ireland grew concerned about his contact with another teen.
Brooks was released on bail after the visit.
In January, on the same day officers visited the Birmingham teenager’s home with whom Brooks had been communicating, he went to meet the boy and had a hotel room booked.
When he called the 13-year-old, police answered the phone, and Brooks asked if he could say goodbye.
After officers left, Brooks visited the boy's home to apologize before handing himself in at Bury Police Station shortly afterward.
Brooks admitted to child grooming; he appeared in court for sentencing.
Prosecutor Neil Usher stated, "His father speaks of his shock at his son being involved in such things.
It has impacted on his school.
It has had a lasting impact on their son, who shouldn’t have to deal with these things at his age." The court was also told that Brooks had been contacting three teenage boys, one of whom did not cooperate with police and another who could not be traced.
James Preece, defending Brooks, explained that his client had been studying for an online law degree but was now unable to continue.
He described Brooks as having experienced loneliness and mental health struggles, and that he believed he was in a relationship with the boy.
Judge Savill addressed Brooks directly, saying, "Anybody who engages in grooming behaviour over this period of time, in the way that you did, can expect an immediate sentence of imprisonment." Consequently, Brooks was sentenced to two years in prison, placed on the sex offenders register, and subject to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.
Following the sentencing, Detective Constable James Donnelly of Bury Police’s complex safeguarding team welcomed the outcome, stating, "Brooks was clearly a predator online, targeting young teenage boys and attempting to meet up with them.
Thankfully, one of the victim’s mums raised concerns and reported them, allowing us to catch him and unravel his crimes.
This is a step towards making the online world safer for children now that Brooks is behind bars." He urged parents and carers to remain vigilant about their children’s online interactions and to report any concerns.
