March 2017 Army cadet locked up for molesting girl he groomed online An Army cadet has been sentenced to two years youth custody for molesting a young girl he groomed on social media. Brandon Lucas sent the shocked victim pictures and videos of him self-harming when she refused to forward him selfies of her naked. He also told her he had stabbed himself in the leg and would only remove the knife if she told him she loved him. Maidstone Crown Court heard Lucas, 19, groomed and manipulated the girl on Facebook and Snapchat. He was a 16-year-old colour sergeant with Kent Army Cadet Force, based at Mascalls School in Paddock Wood, when he first contacted the girl, then aged 12. He called her “babe” and “sexy” and complimented her on her bottom, telling her: “It’s mine.” He said she should not tell anyone because of her age. After they met he twice put his hand into her knickers and pinned her down in an attempt to take off her trousers. The girl was to tell police she was distraught and distressed by his behaviour. She has since been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder. She wept as she gave evidence from behind screens. Lucas, formerly of Montgomery Road, Tunbridge Wells, now of Five Oak Green, denied two charges of sexual assault and one of attempted sexual assault, but was convicted by a jury. Judge Philip St John-Stevens said although Lucas may have been sexually naive and inexperienced and of exemplary character, custody could not be avoided. “You were going through a difficult time and you realised you could get a reaction by exposing your frailties, and that turned into a device to try and secure a relationship with her,” he said. “This was a course of conduct you pursued and there was a disturbing escalation. Lucas’ name will appear on the sex offenders’ register and a sexual harm prevention order was made.