BENJAMIN SPRATT OF CHELMSFORD SENTENCED FOR GROOMING TEENAGE GIRLS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

In a disturbing case that highlights the dangers of online grooming, Benjamin Spratt, a 28-year-old man from Chelmsford, has been sentenced to nine years in prison for his involvement in the sexual exploitation of two teenage girls. The offences came to light after a detailed investigation into his online activities and subsequent physical encounters.

Spratt, who resides on Laurel Grove in Chelmsford, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, 26 March, to multiple serious charges, including four counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, two counts of sexual activity with a minor, and two counts of digital and oral penetration involving a 14-year-old girl. The case was heard at Croydon Crown Court, where he was sentenced on Thursday, 25 April.

He was a licensed taxi driver at the time of his arrest, which took place in November 2011 at his residence in Chelmsford. The investigation revealed that during September and October of 2011, Spratt actively used the social networking website MYLOL, a platform primarily designed for teenagers to interact with one another, to target vulnerable young girls.

Utilizing his background as a DJ, Spratt built a rapport with several teenage girls on the platform, gradually grooming them for more intimate and inappropriate interactions. His online communication was calculated and manipulative, aimed at establishing trust and intimacy with his victims.

The most alarming aspect of his offending was his physical meeting with a 14-year-old girl after initially contacting her online. He traveled from Chelmsford to her home in southeast London, where he sexually abused her. The girl later reported that Spratt returned to her school two days after the incident, claiming to be outside. The school promptly contacted the police, but Spratt had already left the scene before authorities arrived.

Following his arrest, officers from the Sapphire unit conducted a thorough examination of Spratt’s computer and digital devices. They uncovered evidence of contact with numerous young girls, revealing a pattern of predatory behavior. One such victim, a 15-year-old girl, disclosed that Spratt had persuaded her to engage in sexual activities online while he performed a sex act on himself during their communication.

As part of his sentence, Spratt was placed on the sex offenders register for life and issued a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) for five years. The order prohibits him from using the internet to communicate with children, restricts him from engaging in any contact with females under 16 without supervision, and grants police the authority to examine any of his devices containing internet or digital images.

Detective Constable John Daly of the MPS Sapphire Command emphasized the severity of the case, stating, “Benjamin Spratt is a predatory paedophile who has targeted a vulnerable young girl to satisfy his own sexual needs. The MPS is dedicated to protecting the public from sexual predators and encouraging victims to come forward. They will be fully supported by specially trained officers.”

Detective Inspector Keith Ward also commented on the case, highlighting the dangers posed by the internet and social media platforms. “The victim was targeted, groomed, and exploited by Spratt. This crime again shows how the internet and social media can be exploited by paedophiles to snare their victims. This conviction will provide reassurance that we will relentlessly pursue those who commit these dreadful crimes against children.”