CHRISTOPHER WOOD OF LINCOLNSHIRE SENTENCED TO NEARLY THREE YEARS IN PRISON FOR GROOMING GIRL AT BUTLINS

In August 2012, a worker at Butlins in Ingoldmells was sentenced to two years and nine months imprisonment after being convicted of grooming a schoolgirl from Lincolnshire. Christopher Wood, 43, pleaded guilty to seven sexual charges during his appearance at Lincoln Crown Court. The offences took place between November 28 and December 14 of the previous year.

Wood, from Hampton Road, Twickenham, Middlesex, admitted to kissing and touching the underage girl after driving her to isolated locations in Woodhall Spa and Anton’s Gowt. He was also made the subject of a sexual offences protection order and will be required to register as a sex offender for life.

Prosecutor Phil Howes stated, “He was the driving force of this inappropriate relationship. It was a breach of trust, he corrupted her to a point where she became complicit to his wishes.”

The arrest was triggered when the girl’s mother raised concerns upon discovering disturbing text messages between her daughter and Wood. During police interviews, Wood chose not to comment initially but later admitted that he had driven the girl to Woodhall Spa and Anton’s Gowt on December 14. Mr Howes added, “On both of those occasions he collected her from school in his car. She was in her school uniform.”

It was revealed that Wood, who worked as a stage manager at the Butlins site in Ingoldmells, also sent a series of inappropriate text messages, including one saying, “I so want to sleep with you.”

In interviews with specially trained police officers, the girl expressed that she did not really want to be in the car trips.

The court acknowledged that Wood’s career in the cruise ship and holiday camp industries had been significantly damaged by his actions.

Judge Peter Clark, passing sentence, told Wood, “You had led a blameless life until this episode, but I must emphasise, these are serious offences. She was a vulnerable child, as you well knew.”

A representative from Butlins Skegness confirmed, “We can confirm Mr Wood was employed as a stage manager at Butlins Skegness at the time of the offence for which he has now been convicted. Although the charges related to an incident outside his employment, Mr Wood was immediately suspended when police informed our management team of the allegations against him. Subsequently, his temporary contract was not renewed. Mr Wood was subjected to all necessary CRB checks prior to employment, which were clear.”