SAHAM HILLS DAD CONVICTED OF ONLINE GROOMING AND SEXUAL COMMUNICATION WITH A CHILD
A young father explained to a girl, who was approximately a third of his age, that he wanted to perform oral sex on her, a court was told.David Leverington, a convicted sex offender, contacted a 12-year-old girl via the social media platform Kik.
Over a period of four weeks, their messages became increasingly sexual.
Between February 8 and March 4, 2024, the 34-year-old man, who has a four-year-old daughter, went from complimenting the girl by calling her cute and expressing a desire to cuddle and kiss her, to asking her to send pictures of herself in her underwear.
The situation worsened when Leverington sent the girl a photo of his erect penis and expressed his wish to meet her so she could engage in sexual acts.
At a sentencing hearing held at Truro Crown Court on Friday, May 22, it was revealed that, without Leverington’s knowledge, the Kik account was operated by an undercover police officer.
No actual minor was harmed during the investigation.
Leverington, formerly from Looe and now residing in Saham Hills, Thetford, Norfolk, was detained by Devon and Cornwall Police and charged with attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, as well as attempting to cause a child under 13 to view sexual images.
He admitted to both charges in April this year when appearing before Bodmin Magistrates' Court.
In his defense, Christopher Spencer argued that Leverington was previously a person of good character.
He noted that the case involved an attempted offense and that no real child was involved, as the Kik profile was a police decoy.
Mr.
Spencer added that Leverington had recognized his mistakes even before his arrest, having deleted the Kik app to prevent further misuse.
Additionally, he had sought private therapy and was open to ongoing support from probation services.
He stated: "He realises that he was very foolish.
He was going through a difficult time.
He feels ashamed of his actions and has stopped.
He is committed to making changes.
There is a genuine chance for his rehabilitation." Judge Richard Paige remarked that Leverington was 32 years old at the time of the offenses and believed he was communicating with a child significantly younger than him.
He described the interactions with the decoy as "sustained and explicit," including Leverington’s descriptions of sexual acts he intended to perform.
The judge also noted that Leverington was socially isolated, suffering from depression, and had attempted self-harm following his arrest.
He acknowledged that Leverington had shown some remorse and insight into his behavior.
As a result, Leverington was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years, with additional requirements including 20 days of rehabilitative programs, 140 hours of community service, and registration as a sex offender for ten years.
Furthermore, a sexual harm prevention order was issued for ten years.