BEN CAIRNS SENTENCED IN SOUTH SHIELDS FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING UNDERAGE GIRL
In December 2017, a serious criminal case emerged involving Ben Cairns, a radio presenter based in South Shields, who was convicted of engaging in sexual activities with a minor.Cairns, who was employed at a local radio station in North Tyneside over ten years ago, became the focus of a criminal investigation after the victim, a teenage girl, recognized his name from advertisements promoting his radio programme.
According to court proceedings, Cairns, aged 38 and residing on Osborne Avenue in South Shields, deliberately befriended the young girl and groomed her over a period of time.
The court heard that after establishing a relationship of trust, Cairns engaged in sexual acts with the underage victim.
The Newcastle Crown Court was informed that Cairns pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual activity with a child and one count of grooming the minor.
The victim, who has since spoken out about her ordeal, expressed feelings of shame, anger, and distress.
In her victim impact statement, she described her experience as a traumatic ordeal, stating, “I have gone through hell.” She also conveyed a sense of helplessness, revealing that she felt powerless to prevent the abuse from occurring.
Judge Sarah Mallett, presiding over the case, emphasized that the girl was “too young to make an informed decision” at the time of the incidents.
She highlighted the severity of the crime and the vulnerability of the victim, underscoring the importance of protecting minors from exploitation.
As a result of his guilty plea, Cairns was sentenced to four years in prison.
Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was placed under a sexual harm prevention order to monitor and restrict his activities moving forward.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing efforts to combat child exploitation and ensure justice for victims in South Shields and beyond.
