CHRISTOPHER JAMES BIDSTON AND BIRKENHEAD HORROR: SCHOOLGIRL ATTACK IN BIRKENHEAD PARK

In a disturbing incident that took place in Birkenhead, a 19-year-old man named Christopher James subjected a 15-year-old schoolgirl to a terrifying ordeal that has shocked the local community. The events unfolded in Birkenhead Park during the evening hours of December 2015, when the young girl, who was alone at the time, encountered James after they had arranged to meet through a messaging app.

According to court reports, the girl had sent out a message to her contacts seeking someone to meet her, and James, whom she had not previously known, responded and agreed to meet. The two then walked together to Birkenhead Park, where they spent approximately an hour talking. During this time, James's behavior took a sinister turn. He suddenly exposed himself to the girl, thrusting his genitals into her face in a shocking display of indecency. Despite her clear discomfort and attempts to leave, James escalated his assault by grabbing her bottom and her right breast.

The situation rapidly deteriorated when James put the girl in a headlock, rendering her unconscious. When she regained consciousness, she found herself in a state of distress, with James demanding money from her. He threatened her with violence, warning, “I will break every bone in your body,” and proceeded to rifle through her pockets and search her bra. The girl managed to produce £180, which was reportedly a Christmas gift from her mother. In a further act of violence, James bit her hand, causing her to drop the money.

Graham Pickavance, the prosecutor, detailed the harrowing account during a hearing at Liverpool Crown Court. The girl’s mother confirmed that the money was a Christmas present, emphasizing the emotional trauma inflicted on her daughter. After the assault, James fled the scene, prompting the girl to contact police immediately. Law enforcement officers collected a DNA sample from her hand, which later matched James’s genetic profile. Despite his arrest and identification in an identity parade, James initially denied any involvement, claiming he had been at a party and had not met the girl. In a subsequent police interview, he admitted to meeting her but insisted he was not responsible for the assault or robbery. He also attempted to explain the DNA evidence by suggesting that the girl had wiped her mouth with her hand after kissing him.

James, who was 17 at the time of the incident, was eventually convicted of robbery and exposure after a trial. The court heard that the incident was far more serious than a typical exposure case, with Judge Neil Flewitt, QC, noting the absence of remorse from James. The judge expressed surprise that James was not charged with a more severe sexual offence, given the nature of his actions.

It was also revealed that James had a criminal history, including two previous convictions for assault causing actual bodily harm when he was just 15 years old. His prior conviction involved kicking two men during a gang attack in July 2013, which resulted in a six-month detention.

During the sentencing, Neil Gunn, defending James, described him as immature and struggling with issues related to cannabis use. Gunn highlighted that James had lacked proper support during his upbringing and characterized the attack as an unplanned, one-off incident that occurred after a series of events turned sour. However, Judge Flewitt emphasized that James was familiar with the girl through her contacts on BBM, though they were strangers, and that her safety was expected in such interactions.

The judge condemned James’s actions, stating that he had gone to the park expecting some form of consensual activity, but the girl had rebuffed his advances and tried to escape. Flewitt remarked that James’s behavior was not indicative of immaturity but rather a serious breach of trust and safety. The court acknowledged the profound impact on the victim, noting that she had suffered deeply, with her confidence, social life, education, and relationship with her parents all affected.

As a result, James was sentenced to six years in a young offenders institution. Additionally, he was subjected to an indefinite restraining order and ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for ten years, reflecting the severity of his misconduct and the ongoing risk he poses to the community.