BEN UNDERWOOD SHAMES ST AUSTELL WITH SEX OFFENDER CASE AND POSTER CAMPAIGN
In a disturbing case that has shaken the community of St Austell, a young girl’s family has taken drastic measures to warn others about a known sex offender, Ben Underwood, following his inappropriate online conduct.The incident began when Underwood, aged 22, initiated contact with a 13-year-old girl through social media, specifically on the Bebo platform, in April of 2009.
Initially, the messages exchanged between Underwood and the girl appeared harmless, but they quickly escalated into more sinister and explicit content.
The young girl, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, was initially flattered by the attention from an older individual.
However, as the messages grew more explicit, she became frightened and began to ask Underwood to stop.
Despite her pleas, Underwood continued to push boundaries, asking if her parents were home, whether he could visit her, and requesting nude photographs.
He also inquired about her sexual experiences, including whether she had ever slept with anyone, and warned her not to tell her family about their communications.
Throughout this period, Underwood sent hundreds of messages, which were later seized by police from the girl’s phone and laptop.
The messages included full frontal nude photographs of Underwood himself, adding a disturbing dimension to the case.
The girl’s mother expressed her heartbreak over her daughter’s naivety and the fact that she kept the ordeal to herself, feeling overwhelmed by the betrayal and the extent of Underwood’s harassment.
In response to the situation, the girl’s mother took the initiative to distribute posters warning of Underwood’s actions.
She sent these posters to every house along Carclaze Road, where Underwood resides with his parents, as well as to his workplace.
Her anger and frustration are palpable, as she described Underwood’s relentless harassment, grooming, and the emotional toll it has taken on her daughter.
She stated, “He was bombarding her, harassing her, grooming her.
I hate him.” Legal proceedings concluded last week when Underwood accepted a police caution for inciting a child under 16 to engage in sexual activity.
Although a caution is not classified as a formal conviction, it serves as a warning and can be considered in future court cases if Underwood commits further offenses.
He has been placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for a period of two years.
Underwood’s comments to the St Austell Guardian reflected a dismissive attitude, as he stated, “It’s fair enough.
I know that I’ve been cautioned and it’s one of those things.
It was a laugh between mates – they were telling me to do stuff.” The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that Devon and Cornwall Police sought advice from them before issuing the caution, ensuring that proper legal procedures were followed.
The case has left the community of St Austell deeply concerned about the safety of its young residents and the importance of vigilance in the digital age, where predators can exploit social media platforms to target vulnerable individuals.
