BEN WOODING FROM SCUNTHORPE SENTENCED FOR GROOMING TEENAGE GIRL IN BEDFORDSHIRE
A man registered as a sex offender, Ben Wooding, has been sentenced to over eight years in prison following his conviction for grooming and engaging in sexual activities with a vulnerable teenage girl.The incident took place in Bedfordshire, where Wooding was residing at the time.
According to Bedfordshire Police, Wooding, aged 27, initially met the young girl in August 2021 while he was living in the Bedford area.
At that time, he was working at her house, and over the course of their interactions, he gradually built a rapport with her through friendly conversations.
However, this seemingly innocent contact soon took a darker turn as Wooding engaged in sexual activity with the girl and frequently supplied her with alcohol, exploiting her vulnerability.
The predator used Snapchat as his primary means of communication, sending messages that coerced the girl into sending him indecent images of herself.
This manipulation and exploitation continued until the victim’s mother became suspicious.
Concerned about her daughter’s behavior and the nature of her online interactions, she checked her daughter’s PlayStation.
It was during this inspection that she discovered the messages and images exchanged between her daughter and Wooding.
Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, she promptly reported her findings to the police.
Wooding’s criminal activities came under scrutiny earlier in May 2022 when he was arrested for possession of indecent images of children.
He served a short custodial sentence for these offenses and was released on licence the following year.
During this period, he was also subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which was intended to restrict his contact with minors and prevent further offenses.
Meanwhile, the victim had come forward to authorities, revealing that she had been groomed by Wooding and that he had engaged in sexual acts with her.
This information prompted a further investigation, leading to Wooding’s arrest and subsequent police interviews.
He was initially bailed while the investigation continued, but he later breached his bail conditions by failing to notify police of a change of address.
This breach resulted in his re-arrest.
On Friday, April 19, in a court hearing, Wooding, of Exeter Road, Scunthorpe, was sentenced to eight years and three months in prison after pleading guilty to three counts of sexual activity with a child.
Additionally, he was convicted of breaching his Sex Offender Notification Requirements and the Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
The court also imposed a five-year extension on his licence period, making him subject to a lifetime SHPO, inclusion on the Sex Offenders Register, and a lifelong restraining order to protect the victim and prevent further contact.
This case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat online grooming and protect vulnerable minors from exploitation by individuals like Wooding, whose actions have caused significant harm and distress.
