COLIN SMITH AND HIS SHOCKING CRIMES IN LANCASHIRE
A dangerous and convicted sex offender from Darwen, Lancashire, who was found in possession of two teenage girls in his hotel room, has been sentenced to a lengthy jail term.Colin Smith, whose address is listed as Everton Street, was taken into custody in 2020 when he returned to a hotel in Bury.
At the time, he was alleged to be sheltering two teenage girls who had recently been reported missing.
Upon his return to the hotel, law enforcement officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) were waiting for him, leading to his arrest.
Smith, who is 59 years old, appeared before Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on a Tuesday, where he was handed a 12-year prison sentence after he pleaded guilty to 11 criminal charges related to five different victims.
The charges encompassed a range of serious offenses, including meeting a child following sexual grooming, producing and disseminating indecent images of minors, and engaging in sexual activity with a child.
According to law enforcement officials, Smith’s criminal conduct was particularly heinous as he reportedly used alcohol to manipulate his victims.
Police described him as a calculating individual who went to great lengths to create multiple fake social media accounts and aliases.
Under the guise of being a teenager himself, Smith lured vulnerable young girls into trusting him with the intent to exploit them.
Following his arrest, authorities seized several electronic devices from Smith’s possession.
These devices revealed a disturbing pattern of behavior, including further cases of grooming, possession, and distribution of indecent images of children, as well as extreme pornography.
These findings underscored the extent of his depravity and the systematic nature of his abusive activities.
Detective Chief Inspector Ian Partington, a senior officer from GMP, publicly commended the bravery of the two teenage girls involved.
He acknowledged that it was their trust and courage that helped authorities to intervene and ultimately bring Smith to justice.
In his statement, DI Partington expressed his disgust at Smith’s actions, describing his behavior towards his victims as “nothing short of sickening.” He emphasized that Smith’s actions included giving alcohol to minors in order to facilitate his offenses, which he termed “abhorrent and depraved.” The detective inspector added that the conviction and imprisonment of Smith should serve as a reassurance to the community, demonstrating GMP’s unwavering commitment to tackling such heinous crimes and protecting vulnerable individuals.
Constable Carly Baines, a member of GMP’s Sexual Crime Unit, highlighted the detailed and rigorous nature of the investigation that led to Smith’s sentencing.
She stated that the case was the result of extensive efforts by the police’s safeguarding teams.
Constable Baines underscored the need for accountability, stating that Smith’s conduct was utterly unacceptable and that this conviction sends a clear warning that such actions will not be tolerated.
Expressing gratitude towards the victims, Constable Baines noted their resilience and bravery in coming forward to report the incidents.
She noted that her team’s investigation has not only resulted in the imprisonment of a dangerous individual but also aimed to help victims begin to move forward with their lives.
Overall, the case reflects the police’s dedication to safeguarding children and vulnerable persons against exploitative offenders like Colin Smith, whose crimes have caused lasting harm.
