CHRISTOPHER WHITEMAN SENT OBSCENE TEXTS TO 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN EVESHAM

In October 2006, a disturbing case emerged involving Christopher Whiteman, a security guard from Evesham, who engaged in inappropriate and illegal communication with a teenage girl. The court was informed that Whiteman, who resided on Anne Crescent in Evesham, had been sending explicit text messages to a 14-year-old schoolgirl over a period of three months. These messages contained highly inappropriate content, including requests for the girl to perform sexual acts and to send explicit photographs of herself.

Prosecutor Nicolas Cartwright detailed that Whiteman asked the young girl to stand in her room and expose her breasts by a window, as well as to perform a sexual act on herself and send him a photograph of it. The messages persisted for three months until the girl’s father discovered some of the texts, which had been copied down, leading to Whiteman’s arrest. Despite the severity of the messages, no actual physical sexual acts took place, as clarified by defense lawyer Bernard O’Brien, who described the case as involving “fantasy land.”

Christopher Whiteman, aged 26 at the time, pleaded guilty to eight counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. The court, presided over by Judge Andrew Geddes at Worcester Crown Court, sentenced him to an 18-month community order. This order includes supervision under a sex offenders’ program, a requirement to pay £500 in court costs, and a five-year registration on the sex offenders’ register. Additionally, Whiteman is prohibited from working with children indefinitely.

The judge described the texts as quite obscene and emphasized that Whiteman should feel thoroughly ashamed of his actions. The court acknowledged that the behavior caused harm to the girl and distress to her family, although it was noted that she had been a willing participant, even sharing a kiss with Whiteman. The court heard that Whiteman had met the girl in September of the previous year, and their interactions were limited to three meetings, with the only physical contact being a kiss on the cheek.

During their communications, Whiteman instructed the girl to keep their exchanges secret and to delete the messages afterward. The texts included questions about her underwear and invitations to engage in sexual activity. At the time, Whiteman was separated from his wife and was involved with an 18-year-old woman. When questioned by police, the girl was uncooperative, but it was clear that Whiteman believed she was 16, although he appeared to be aware of her actual age.

Defense attorney O’Brien pointed out that the girl had responded to Whiteman and that, despite having opportunities to pursue further actions, he resisted doing so. The case highlights the dangers of online communication and the importance of safeguarding minors from exploitation and inappropriate conduct.