KING'S LYNN SEX OFFENDER FACES LONG PRISON SENTENCE AFTER GROOMING ATTEMPT

A repeat sex offender confronted by paedophile hunters has been warned he faces a long prison sentence. Christopher Groom, 25, believed he was chatting to a 15-year-old but it was in fact a decoy account and he was later confronted at his home by members of an online group who expose offenders.Norwich Magistrates’ Court was told a female member of the group had set up an account on the WhatsApp messaging service using the alias ‘Olivia’ which purported to be a teenage girl.Groom had begun messaging asking for pictures of her breasts and of her naked and in underwear. “He sent a number of messages wanting her to send images sharing various parts of her body and also offering to send pictures of himself,” said Josephine Jones, prosecuting.Groom, of Garden Court, King's Lynn, pleaded guilty to attempted sexual communication with a child on September 28 during which he attempted to incite sexual activity. He also admitted breaching a sexual harm prevention order imposed for previous offences including making indecent images of children. Magistrates, with a maximum sentence of 12 months, decided to send him to Norwich Crown Court, telling him “you need greater punishment than we can give you”. He has been remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced on November 4. Defense solicitor Andrew Cogan said Groom understood his behaviour was grooming and that a lengthy prison sentence may be inevitable. The court was told that a video of Groom being confronted by paedophile hunters had circulated widely and that this had caused his parents to fear for their safety, leading to his removal from their home. The court also noted that Groom had only recently completed a community sentence, indicating that this had not been effective. Groom's previous offences include making indecent images of children. The case highlights the risks of grooming behaviour and the importance of law enforcement and community vigilance.