DAVID ALSTON FROM LEEK AND MACCLESFIELD SENT TO JAIL FOR GROOMING SCHOOLGIRL

In April 2017, a disturbing case of grooming and predatory behavior culminated in the imprisonment of David Alston, a 24-year-old student paramedic with connections to both Leek and Macclesfield. The court heard how Alston engaged in a calculated attempt to manipulate a young schoolgirl, employing tactics that included offering her drugs and money in exchange for sexual favors.

Alston’s actions demonstrated a pattern of persistent predatory conduct. He sent sexually explicit images of himself to the girl, attempting to establish a clandestine relationship. During the court proceedings, it was revealed that he told her, “no one will have to find out, it will be our little secret,” in an effort to conceal his inappropriate advances. His manipulative behavior was ultimately exposed when a teacher overheard the victim discussing Alston’s lewd propositions with her friends, raising suspicions and prompting intervention.

The case was brought before Warrington Crown Court, where Alston faced multiple charges. He pleaded guilty to two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and two counts of causing a child to view sexual images. The court sentenced him to 20 months in prison for his crimes.

Judge Simon Berkson, presiding over the case, described Alston’s conduct as “persistent predatory behavior” and emphasized the severity of his grooming tactics. The judge stated, “You contacted her on Facebook and offered her drugs and money for sex. You sent pictures of yourself, offered her clothes and expensive underwear. Her sister stepped in, but the contact continued, and you also tried to contact her friends. This was predatory behavior towards a young teenager, with an escalation in what you were proposing.”

It was revealed that Alston was studying at Middlesbrough University in 2015 when he first began contacting the victim. Prosecutor Andrew McInnes explained that a teacher overheard a conversation in which the victim was offered £100 and a bag of weed if she agreed to sleep with Alston in his car. The teacher intervened immediately. The girl later told police that she had accepted a Facebook ‘friend request’ from Alston, and they began private messaging. She disclosed her age, stating she was underage, while Alston falsely claimed to be 21 when he was actually 23. He reassured her, saying, “no one will have to find out, it will be our little secret.”

Further concern arose when the victim’s sister saw the messages and warned Alston to stay away, calling him a “paedo.” Despite this warning, Alston continued his attempts to contact her and even tried to reach out to one of her friends, demonstrating a continued pattern of predatory behavior.

The victim, in a heartfelt statement, described how the ordeal had profoundly affected her mental health. She revealed that she now feels unable to leave her house or attend school due to the trauma inflicted by Alston’s actions.

As part of his sentence, Alston was also issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for ten years and is required to register as a sex offender for the same period. He now resides at Rosebank Terrace, Leek, and his case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by individuals who exploit and manipulate vulnerable young people.