DAVID SMITH FROM BEDWORTH ESCAPES SENTENCE TO GO ON HONEYMOON AFTER GROOMING TWO UNDERAGE GIRLS

In a case that has sparked widespread concern, David Smith, a resident of Bedworth, was involved in a disturbing grooming scandal involving two underage girls. The incident came to light when Smith, aged 30, appeared at Warwick Crown Court to face charges related to his inappropriate conduct with minors.

Initially, Smith pleaded not guilty to several serious allegations, including causing or inciting a 13-year-old girl to engage in sexual activity during the summer of 2013. He also denied sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl in July or August of the same year. The prosecution alleged that Smith had forced the older girl to perform a sexual act on him and had kissed the younger girl on the lips, actions that are considered highly criminal and morally reprehensible.

However, during the proceedings, the prosecution faced evidential difficulties concerning the two more serious charges. As a result, they proposed alternative charges, which Smith subsequently admitted to. He pleaded guilty to two counts of meeting a child following sexual grooming, with the court establishing that he believed the girls were over 16 at the time of their meetings. The charges indicated that Smith engaged in these meetings with the intent to commit acts that would constitute child sex offences.

The court was informed that Smith’s actions took place while he was at a swimming baths with his own seven-year-old son, a relationship that has since been severed as a consequence of his actions. The case was scheduled for sentencing, but the court agreed to delay the proceedings to allow for a pre-sentence report to be prepared. This decision was influenced by Smith’s personal circumstances, notably his upcoming marriage and honeymoon.

At the hearing, Smith’s defense lawyer, Simon Hunka, explained that Smith was due to get married on October 31st and had a two-week honeymoon booked. He requested that the sentencing be postponed until mid-November, specifically asking for the case to be adjourned to November 16th. The judge, Recorder Adrian Redgrave QC, approved this request, citing that the offences were two years old and there was no pressing reason to proceed sooner, especially considering Smith’s personal commitments.

Despite the delay, Smith was ordered to register as a sex offender and was granted bail under strict conditions. These included prohibitions on unsupervised contact with any child under 16 and restrictions on visiting public swimming baths. The judge emphasized the seriousness of the offences, which involve grooming minors with the intent to commit sexual acts. The sentencing guidelines suggest a starting point of two years’ custody for such offences involving children under 13, and 18 months if the child is between 13 and 16.

Smith’s case has drawn significant attention due to the nature of his crimes and the unusual circumstances surrounding his delayed sentencing, which allowed him to proceed with his personal life before facing the court’s judgment.